Conservatives win Snettisham ward by-election

A county councillor has been elected to represent a West Norfolk village after polling more than three-quarters of the vote in a by-election.

Stuart Dark won the vacant Snettisham ward seat in yesterday's poll, the result of which was announced this morning.

The election was called following the resignation of Avril Wright earlier this year.

Mr Dark, a Conservative, is also a parish councillor for the village and has served as its county councillor since his election for the Dersingham division in May last year.

He is currently vice-chairman of the county council's children's services committee.

The full results, recorded on a turnout of 22.5 per cent, were: Stuart Dark (Conservative) 613 votes, Erika Coward (Liberal Democrat) 66, Nigel Walker (Green Party) 65, Matthew Hannay (UK Independence Party) 48. Officials say four ballot papers were rejected.