The organisation of Essex’s first Police and Crime Commissioner election has been slammed by Maldon residents.

Friday’s election was won by Conservative Nick Alston with a total of 62,350 votes, narrowly defeating independent candidate Mick Thwaites polling 58,664.

But with just 15% of the voters bothering to turn up - one of the lowest turnouts in the county - some have questioned whether the highly-paid role has any legitimacy.

Maldon residents have hit back at the low turnout figure, criticising the publicity and organisation of the election.

Retired administrator Janet Matthams, 65, of Shelley Close, Maldon, did not receive a polling card so had no idea who, how or where to vote.

She said: “The Police and Crime Commissioner elections were a bit of a farce. We had no idea who the candidates were until we read them in the local papers just before the election."

See this week's MBS for the full story.