THE Conservatives held on to the vacant Wyre Forest District Council seat following a by-election.

Wyre Forest Conservative Association chairman Howard Williams won the Mitton ward seat, vacated by Sara Fearn, with a total of 797 votes.

It was double delight for the retired BT manager, who also claimed the Stour & Wilden seat on Stourport Town Council that became free following Mrs Fearn’s resignation.

Both ballots were the first that Mr Williams had ever stood in. He only joined the party in 2015 but became chairman of the association in 2016 before being re-elected in February this year.

He said: “I’m very pleased with the results and I want to represent Stourport to the best of my abilities.

“I think Stourport needs a strong voice on the District Council.”

The full results for the Mitton by-election are:

Cliff Brewer (Labour) – 429

Simon Ford (Liberal Democrats) – 79

John Holden (UKIP) – 215)

Vicky Lea (Green) – 39

John Thomas (Health Concern) – 506

Howard Williams (Conservative) – 797

The turnout for the district council vote was 28.2 per cent.

In the other Stourport Town Council by-election for the Areley Kings West ward, Mayoress Lin Henderson was voted in with 375 votes.

Over on Kidderminster Town Council, the by-election for Foley Park and Hoobrook saw more joy for the Tories with Kevin Gale winning with 833 votes, representing a gain from UKIP.