THE UK Independence Party (UKIP) topped the European election poll in the Dean – and declared its ambition to be the largest single party on the Forest Council after the elections in 12 months.

Across the border in Monmouthshire UKIP was kept out of top spot by the Conservatives.

Turn-out in both areas was low with 23,774 of the Forest's 65,876 electors casting their votes (36.9 per cent) while in Monmouthshire the turn-out was 33.7 per cent with 24,075 of the 71,421 people eligible to vote making a choice.

In the Forest UKIP polled 8,359 votes claiming 35.1 per cent of electors with the Conservatives in second on 6,497 (27.3 per cent).

Labour was third with 4,268 votes ahead of the Greens on 2,588 and the Liberal Democrats on 1,238.

In Monmouthshire the Conservatives claimed 33.1 per cent of the poll with 7,969 votes with UKIP on 6,757 or 28 per cent of the vote ahead of Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats.

UKIP agent for the Forest count Cllr Richard Leppington said: "We've been told its a protest vote but people keep on protesting.

"We had 29 per cent of the vote in the county council elections last year and now we're on 35 per cent.

"We are going forward and our aim for the council elections next year is to be the single largest party on the (Forest) council. We think that is achievable."

UKIP currently has one councillor on the 48-seat council which has a Conservative administration.

Council leader Cllr Patrick Molyneaux said: "I think it was a kind of protest vote.

"Next year people will have to think about who they want to run the council.

"We have a good track record and I can't see UKIP making those sort of gains."

Leader of the Labour group Cllr Di Martin said the party was undaunted despite being pushed back into third place.

She said: "The fight goes on."