THE SNP have maintained their two North Coast councillors and control of North Ayrshire Council after Grace McLean was elected last night.

Grace, wife of the late Councillor Alex McLean, secured victory at Largs Academy just before midnight.

The result was closer than some expected, with independent candidate and former 'News' editor Drew Cochrane in second place, forcing the vote to go to the final stage.

Grace told the News: "It is quite overwhelming and I am sure Alex would have been very proud. I am looking forward to the challenging work ahead.

Using a form of proportional representation, candidates required 2,610 votes to win.

With no outright winner, the candidates with the lowest number of votes were removed from the running and their votes distrubuted between the remaining candidates according to the order of voter preference.

Grace McLean was elected at the final stage, as the field was whittled down to the SNP candidate and Drew Cochrane. Grace secured the seat with 2279 votes to Drew's 2000.

The first preference votes, which allow the closest comparison to the traditional first past the post model used at the UK elections, saw Grace McLean get 2021 votes, followed by Drew Cochrane (1190), Toni Dawson (1125), Valerie Reid (691) and Meilan Henderson (192).