A NEW councillor has been elected to Lyme Regis Town Council - winning by just 11 votes.

Tara Dawn Webb, who is not affiliated with any political party, celebrated victory after winning the by-election in a closely-fought contest.

Ms Webb received 328 votes to take the seat with a voter turnout of 37.3 per cent. Green Party candidate Vicki Elcoate came in second place with 317 votes.

Close behind was Caroline Aldridge for the Lib Dems who received 305 votes.

Ms Webb will be taking a seat on the town council which was left vacant after Cllr Leon Howe failed to attend council meetings for six months.

Dorset Council was notified of the new vacancy in December 2020. Due to regulations under the Coronavirus Act 2020, local by-elections could not be held until yesterday.