LOCAL action group campaigner Jessica Griffith scored a resounding victory in the Old Cleeve by- election last Thursday, taking more than 70 per cent of the vote. Independent Cllr Griffith secured 468 votes, well ahead of second-placed Conservative Roy Harbour with 136 votes and Labour's John Garland with 40 votes. There was a 33 per cent turnout compared with a 39.7 per cent turnout back in 1999, when the seat was last contested as part of the main district council and parish elections. The by-election was forced by the resignation of former district councillor John Nethercott. Cllr Griffith has been a pivotal member of Minehead-based pressure group DIRECT and exposed a miscalculation in West Somerset District Council's original Donaldsons' retail study. She thanked everyone who had helped to run her successfully election campaign and said she had been amazed by the positive response she received on the campaign trail. She said: "The coming months will be tough times for the council and the community, as decisions are made which will shape the district's future for years to come. "I would urge the electorate to ensure that whatever their views and opinions they have been represented fully to the council. "In particular, I would like to point out that there will be a public meeting on August 3 at the community college in Minehead and ask that as many as possible come along."