The Conservative Party has retained its seat in Southfields following yesterday's by-election.

Tory candidate Kim Caddy topped the poll with 1,841 votes, beating Labour candidate Josh Kaile who came second with 1,511 votes.

The Liberal Democrat share of the vote collapsed to just 220 votes compared to their showing in the ward in the 2010 election.

The by-election was held on March 29 following the resignation of Conservative councillor Lucy Allan.

It means there are still 47 Conservative members on the council and 13 Labour members.

In her election campaign Coun Caddy pledged to support the Southfields Plaza campaign and raised concerns over the site of a new Tesco Express in the former Grid Inn pub.

She lives in Earlsfield with her husband Neil Caddy and two young children, having lived in the borough for 10 years.

Coun Caddy has worked as a chartered accountant and a finance manager for a global engineering firm, but is now taking time out from her career to look after her children.

She said she is an active member of the community and is a school governor, a member of the advisory board for a children's centre and a trustee of First Touch, a charity which supports the Neonatal Unit in St George's Hospital.

Last night she tweeted after her win: "So pleased to be elected in Southfields! Thank you so much to all who came and supported."

The voter turnout was about 30 per cent.

Labour claim the 18 per cent swing for their party would mean Councillor Leonie Cooper would take the Merton and Wandsworth Greater London Authority seat if it reflected in the election in May.

The full list of results are: Kim Caddy (Conservative) 1,841 Josh Kaile (Labour) 1,511 John Munro (Lib Dem) 220 Bruce Mackenzie (Green) 100 Strachan McDonald (UKIP) 40 Mohammed Abid (Independent) 38