JOHN Dwyer has been named as Cheshire's first police and crime commissioner.

The Nantwich-based former borough councillor clinched the vote after defeating nearest candidate John Stockton (Lab) by more than 11,000 votes.

Pickmere resident Sarah Flannery, standing as an independent, finished in third after gaining 18,596 votes.

Ainsley Arnold (Lib Dem) came fourth, while Louise Bours (UKIP) came last.

Nationally, the turnout rate has been low but in east Cheshire the figure seemed to be above the national average.

In the Cheshire East area 47,736 people cast a vote on who should become the new commissioner, which accounted for 16.68 per cent of the electorate.

A spokesman for Cheshire East said the percentage of votes per head was the highest out of Halton Borough, Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester councils.

What do you think about the election? Did you vote? If you didn't, why? Leave a comment below or email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk.