Lib Dem victory in local by-election

3.17.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 12th Oct 2007

Lib Dems celebrate after polling day

Chippenham Town Council gained a new Lib Dem councillor this week, Mark Packard, following the successful local by-election in Pewsham ward.

The Liberal Democrats took the seat from the Conservatives with a substantial majority of 147 votes. The Conservative candidate polled just 347 votes, where as Mark Packard polled 493.

Mark Packard the new Lib Dem councillor said: "I'm really delighted to be elected the member of the Town Council for Pewsham ward by such a huge majority. I will work hard to represent everybody in the community so that council tax payers get their money worth & are properly represented."

Duncan Hames, the prospective Lib Dem MP for Chippenham: "This victory for the Lib Dems shows that Chippenham residents appreciate the hard work put in by the local Lib Dem team. We aren't just here for elections but are working for local people all year round."