The Liberal Democrats gained a county council seat from the Conservatives last night in a by-election.

Phil Williams, district councillor for Chorleywood South and Maple Cross, was elected in the Three Rivers Rural Division of Hertfordshire County Council.

Cllr Williams takes the seat Conservative councillor Chris Hayward stepped down from in September.

Here are the by-election results:

Phil Williams, Liberal Democrat 1,846 ELECTED

Angela Killick, Conservative 1,315

Jeni Swift Gillett, Labour 144

David Bennett, UK Independence Party 86

Roan Alder, Green 68

From a pool of 11,648 people, 29.73 per cent turned out to vote.

Cllr Williams said: “I really just want to say a big thanks to those who have put their faith in me and I hope I can live up to their expectations.”

Cllr Phil Williams