Maidstone council has elected its leader for the new civic year - and once again it's Liberal Democrat Martin Cox.

The vote was a blow to the Conservative party who are the largest group in Maidstone's hung council.

A proposal for Tory Cllr John Perry to become leader was defeated by just two votes.

A motion to elect Cllr Cox was passed by 28 votes to 26.

As well as his own Lib Dem supporters, Cllr Cox was backed by Labour members Cllrs Malcolm McKay, Paul Harper. Keith Adkinson and Margaret Rose, and by Independents Fay Gooch, Steve Munford, Jan Sams and Tom Sams.

The two Independent Maidstone members were split with Cllr Eddie Powell voting with the Conservatives and Cllr Gordon Newton with the Lib Dems.

It will be Cllr Cox's second year in office.