A Liberal Democrat candidate triumphed in a by-election held following the sudden resignation of the former Conservative councillor.

Keith Martin was named last night as the new councillor for the Oxhey Hall and Hayling ward for Three Rivers District Council.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed speaking to so many residents over the past few weeks.

“I’m looking forward to getting started at Three Rivers and working for all local residents”.

Cllr Martin won with 672 votes - despite their share of the vote falling by 6.5 per cent. 

He was followed by Conservative Roy Clements, who came second with 461.

Labour candidate Brendan O’Brien came third with 428 votes - with his share of the vote increasing by 8.8 per cent.

Mick Matthewson received 35 votes for UKIP and Matt Jones finished fifth with 31 votes for The Green Party.

The turnout for the by-election was 30.9 per cent and was held after predecessor councillor Ty Harris handed in his notice regarding a “broken promise” over the amount of social housing in South Oxhey.

Leader of Three Rivers District Council Cllr Sara Bedford said: “This is a huge vote of support not only in Keith and his ward colleagues Cllrs Andrew and Alison Scarth, but also in the Liberal Democrat administration at Three Rivers.

“The other parties threw a lot at us, but residents showed that they appreciate both the hard work of their Lib Dem team in the ward and the effective and efficient way that the Lib Dems run Three Rivers.”