KNUTSFORD Town Council’s newest member has thanked everyone for their support in Thursday’s by-election.

GP and mum Elizabeth Beswick was elected to the vacant Norbury Booths ward of the town council after winning more than two-thirds of the voters cast.

The Conservative candidate defeated Independent challenger Quentin Abel in an election which attracted an impressive turnout of more than 35 per cent.

There were only two candidates, and more than half of the ballots cast were postal votes.

The newly-elected town councillor thanked residents for their backing.

Elizabeth said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted for me to be their councillor.

“It’s a great privilege to be elected, and I promise that I’ll do my best to represent everyone in the ward, whether they voted for me or not.

“We had a really positive campaign, and it was nice to meet and talk to so many residents, who were all very friendly and welcoming.

“There were a number of issues which people raised with me, and I’m now looking forward to working with my fellow councillors to see what can be done, and to ensure that Knutsford continues to be a great place to live and work.”

Elizabeth polled 496 votes, 67.85 per cent of the total, with Quentin attracting 233, 31.88 per cent.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Charlotte Greenstein.

Of the 731 ballots cast 368 were postal votes.

You can contact Elizabeth on elizabeth.beswick@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk