LIBERAL Democrat candidate Chris Booth has been elected as the new district councillor for Halcon.

The vacancy in the three-seat ward arose following the resignation of LibDem councillor Christopher Appleby, who joined the police in January.

The by-election was held yesterday (April 14), Mr Booth won the vote after receiving 389 votes.

Olivia Grant, the Conservative candidate had 222 votes, Kieran Canham for the Labour party had 133 votes, UKIP candidate Robert Bainbridge 118 votes, and Green party Craig Rossiter had 42 votes. 

The turn-out was 23 per cent - up on last year.

Speaking on his victory, Chris said: "It's been a crazy month, I was up at the crack of dawn yesterday with councillor and Lib Dem members going around houses and speaking to people.

"I'm very pleased, and grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout, especially the councillors on Taunton Deane and the Lib Dems.

"One of the highlights of yesterday was we had a couple of people going around doors, and they met a 100-year-old lady who said she wanted to vote because she always did but she couldn't get to the polling station so we had someone come and pick her up and take her.

"It's really been an experience going around and meeting everyone, I'm fairly new to this but I'm looking forward to learning and getting to know my fellow councillors and standing up for my party and for the people of Halcon."