LIBERAL Democrat candidate Cara Strom romped home with nearly 50 per cent of the vote in yesterday (Thursday’s) Dunster division Somerset Council by-election. She and her partner Cllr Marcus Kravis now hold both the division’s seats for the party.

Contesting a by-election that was called after the Conservative councillor for Dunster, Christine Lawrence, stepped down due to ill-health, Ms Strom polled 1,142 votes - 49.6 per cent of the vote on a turnout of 32.2 per cent.

The Reform party’s candidate Jonathan Rollason was second with 666 votes, James Bellamy (Conservative) polled 449 votes and Terrence Ledlie (Labour) 44.

Ms Strom, who lives at Blue Anchor and runs the Anchor Drop holiday accommodation business with Cllr Kravis, said she would do all she could to "ensure local voices are heard loud and clear".

She thanked volunteers and campaigners for their efforts during the election and said her top priorities would be listening to residents, protecting essential local services and reinforcing communications across the division.

"We are working with the cards that have been handed to us by government, and under challenging conditions we continue to do our best to deliver for local people”.

"People have been telling me on the doorsteps that the Lib Dems are hard-working people - the party that brings communities together and stands up for the most vulnerable in our society.

Ms Strom told the Free Press: "This result shows that people want a councillor who listens, works hard, and puts the community first. I did campaign tirelessly for five weeks. It was hard work but it was worth it.

“I enjoyed talking to people whether they voted for me or not and I am now looking forward to looking after everyone in the division. This where I live and I will do everything I can to make things better.”