By-elections for Hastings leader Jeremy Birch's seats Published duration 10 July 2015

image caption Jeremy Birch died from a stroke just before the general election in May

By-elections have been held following the death of Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch.

Mr Birch, who suffered a stroke in the week of the general election, was a Labour councillor for 17 years.

He had led the council for 13 years over two separate periods before he died in May at the age of 63.

Labour retained both the borough council seat of St Leonards and the the county council seat of Old Hastings and Tresswell, previously held by Mr Birch.

Terry Dowling was elected to the borough council and Tania Charman will take her seat on East Sussex County Council.