LIB DEM candidate Peter Smith had a resounding victory in last week's by-election for the Blackbrook and Holway Ward for Taunton Deane Council.

Cllr Smith beat Conservative candidate Martin Seamark by a massive 890 votes, with 1,326 people giving him their backing.

In a letter thanking voters, Cllr Smith said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me in the Holway and Blackbrook by-election.

"I have received a tremendous amount of support and the results speak for themselves; an increased turnout of 36% with 75% of the voters voting for the Liberal Democrat party.

"I consider this to be a clear message to the Tory administration that Blackbrook and Holway do not want their leisure land built upon and consider the retention of Taunton Deane's Housing stock to be paramount."

Speaking about the victory, LibDem leader Cllr Ross Henley said: "Last time we only one by 78 votes so to have such a massive rise this time is brilliant. It really is a crushing defeat for the Conservatives.

"I think people are very angry with Tory policy, not just because of all the conflict over Holway Green, but also issues on parking and the housing situation."

Taunton's LibDem MP Jeremy Browne was also delighted by the news.

He said: "This result was a stunning success for the Liberal Democrats in Taunton Deane.

"Peter Smith will be an excellent councillor in Blackbrook and Holway.

He is a conscientious and committed champion for local people.

"The outcome of the election should make the Conservatives think again about their plan to cover Holway Green in new housing development.

"We need to protect green spaces in our towns to maintain an attractive environment in urban communities.

"The Liberal Democrats won over three-quarters of the vote in a straight contest with the Conservatives.

"People responded positively to a candidate and a party that is fair-minded, hard-working and determined to improve the quality of life for people right across Taunton Deane."