NEWSFLASH: Lib Dems GAIN Warminster West County Council seat

1.16.30am GMT Fri 3rd Nov 2006

Popular Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Batchelor has been elected to represent the Warminster West division on Wiltshire County Council. In a closely fought election he secured a 13.2% swing since the election last year, coming from third place to win the seat.

The by-elections took place against a backdrop of unpopular cuts to essential public services by the Conservative-run County Council.

The result was achieved despite some Lib Dem supporters receiving a letter from the Conservative campaign a day before the election directing them to go to the wrong polling station.

Liberal Democrat candidate for the District Council, Roger Coveney, also improved on the Liberal Democrats' 2003 result in the district council by-election. He increased the Lib Dem vote share by 6.8% of the total vote on the average vote share at the last district council elections - moving from third to second place.

The Liberal Democrats now represent a clear majority of West Wiltshire residents on Wiltshire County Council, and remain the largest party on West Wiltshire District Council.

Thank you to everyone who supported Paul and Roger.