LOCAL businessman Anthony Berry was elected as an independent councillor for the Alcombe South ward at Minehead town council elections last Thursday.

In a close contest, Mr Berry, who lives in Dunster, beat former Conservative district councillor Roger Thomas by 257 votes to 235 in the town’s only contested ward.

Three other new councillors were previously elected unopposed to fill the vacancies caused by a number of resignations.

Michael Burke and Richard Lillis now represent the town’s Central ward and Emily Jones serves for Periton and Woodcombe. At 18, Emily is thought to be the youngest town councillor in the country.

The three will join Mark Kingston-James who was co-opted onto the council in March. All four will serve as Independents.