INDEPENDENT Community and Health Concern’s candidate has won the by-election for the Lickhill ward of Wyre Forest District Council.

Jim Parish, of Vernon Road, Stourport, was voted in as the new councillor following yesterday’s election. He received 643 votes out of a total turnout of 1,336.

Conservative, Chris Rogers came second with 512 votes with Labour’s Jenny Knowles in third place with 140 votes.

Liberal Democrat, Clare Cassidy received 41 votes in fourth place. The turnout was 24.4 per cent.

The by-election was called following the death from breast cancer of Independent Community and Health Concern councillor, Jill Fairbrother-Millis in June.

The result means ICHC still hold all three Lickhill seats on the district council, with Brian Glass and Dixon Sheppard the other representatives.

Mr Parish currently serves on Worcestershire County Council for the Stourport division, after he was elected in June.

A retired businessman, he is ICHC leader on the county council and Stourport Town Council. He was also the town’s mayor in 2008-9.