THE Conservatives held on to a county council seat in Hampshire as the party claimed a by-election win in the early hours of the morning.

Judith Grajewski was elected as councillor for Chandler’s Ford at an election held after long-standing Tory Colin Davidovitz stood down due to ill health.

Cllr Grajewski claimed 2,074 votes, or 49.3 per cent of the turnout, increasing her party’s share of the vote by ten per cent.

The Liberal Democrats came second, with James Duguid taking 1,493 votes but also increased the party’s share by 3.8 per cent.

UKIP were in third with John Edwards, but their 358 votes represented a ten per cent fall in their share of the vote.

Labour’s Sarah Smith came fourth with 285 votes.

There was a turnout of 35.49 per cent.

Cllr Roy Perry said “This was an excellent result for the Conservatives with an increased majority and share of the vote. We know the Lib Dems and UKIP threw everything they had at this by-election but Conservatives came out with an increased majority and share of the vote. We shall miss Colin Davidovitz on the County Council but Judith will be a worthy successor to represent Chandlers Ford”

At the meeting of the full County Council this Thursday, Roy Perry announced that at their January meeting he will as Leader propose that Colin Davidovitz be made an Honorary County Alderman in recognition of the great service he had rendered Hampshire