Victorious Green candidate said she was “astonished, humbled and delighted” to win a seat on Dorset Council.

As reported, the Green Party has another councillor on the authority following the Lyme Regis and Charmouth by-election which saw a seat taken from the Conservatives.

Belinda Bawden swept home with 594 votes (44%) ahead of Vicci Stocqueler for the Conservatives on 359 (27%), the Independent on 320 votes (24%) and Labour on 82 (6%).

The by-election was triggered when the sitting Conservative councillor, Daryl Turner, resigned his seat to move away from the area.

Mr Turner had endorsed Ms Bawden as a candidate in the by-election.

Ms Bawden said: “I would like to thank everyone in Lyme Regis and Charmouth who voted for me. To those who didn’t, I undertake to work to earn your confidence and trust as your ward member.

“I promise to listen to your ideas and work hard on your behalf on Dorset Council.

“Thank you to my fantastic team – we had active support from people of every political persuasion and none, including several people who have never voted before.

“And I’d like to pay tribute to Daryl Turner for his strong, loyal representation of the residents of Lyme and Charmouth and to thank him for his personal encouragement.”

Campaign manager Richard Edwards said: "We were a bit surprised by the scale of the win but not so much by the result because it reflects exactly what we were being told on the doorstep. People liked our positive campaign, were impressed by the track record of our candidate, and generally had a favourable impression of the Green Party. It bodes well for us in the future.”

Ms Bawden becomes the Greens' fifth Dorset Councillor.