DELIGHTED Lib Dems are celebrating after triumphing in a Winchester City Council by-election last night (Thursday).

Their candidate Daryl Henry fought off competition from Tory hopeful Sue Evershed to win the Colden Common and Twyford seat. The by-election was called following the resignation of Jim Wagner who has decided to return to his native United States.

Mrs Henry, who has lived in Twyford for 22 years, polled 1,180 votes, Ms Evershed was second with 938 and Labour were well beaten into third, registering just 64 votes.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Mrs Henry, reflecting on her win. "At the end of the day I'm doing it for the people of the ward.

Just over half of the ward's 4,281-strong electorate turned out for the contest, which Mrs Henry said was a reflection of the support she enjoyed in the area.

She has strong links with Twyford: she was a governor at Twyford Primary School for 12 years and has served on the village's parish council since 2001.

"I have talked to lots of people in the last few weeks," she said. "I've picked up lots of issues and going forward I'd like to fight for them.

"There's a lot I want get done for the area - improving traffic and parking, getting potholes filled and our pavements fixed up, and getting an evening bus service back for our young people."