THE winner of a Weston Town Council by-election has said he is looking forward to representing the views of residents.

THE winner of a Weston Town Council by-election has said he is looking forward to representing the views of residents.

David Hitchins, the Conservative candidate nominated to fight for the seat for the Summer Lane ward, won with 296 votes.

Liberal Democrat Robert Payne received 165 votes and Labour candidate Simon Stokes won 137 votes during the by-election on March 13.

David, aged 60, said: "It was a smashing result and my campaign team worked so hard to achieve it.

"I am really looking forward to finding out the views of all the people living in the ward.

"I have lived in Worle for 30 years and know a lot about the issues in the area, such as malfunction junction."

David and his wife Carol, aged 54, both work for Weston Hospicecare in Uphill and live in Preanes Green.

He said: "Voluntary groups are very close to my heart and I hope to encourage help for them."

This is the first time David has worked on a council and he said he is excited about learning more.

He has four children, 25-year-old Sarah, Simon, aged 28, 30-year-old Kirsty and Nichola, aged 40, and all of them live in and around Weston.

He also has three grandchildren.