BOTH local Assembly members retained their seats after last Thursday’s elections.

Labour’s John Griffiths was successful in Newport East while Conservative Nick Ramsay saw off the challenge in the Monmouth constituency.

Mr Ramsay polled 13,585 votes, 5,147 ahead of Labour’s Catherine Fookes on 8,438.

Tim Price was third for UKIP and Monmouthshire county councillor Debby Blakeborough, who stood as an Independent, was fourth.

In Newport East John Griffiths topped the poll with 9,229 votes, 4,896 ahead of UKIP’s James Paterson on 4,333 who pushed the Conservatives into third place.

UKIP picked up two of the four South East Wales regional seats with the others going to Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives.

Among the UKIP Assembly members is former Kent MP Mark Reckless who lost his Rochester and Strood seat after defecting from the Conservatives.

Labour are still the largest party in the Assembly with 29 seats which is two short of a majority.