Health campaigner wins back Stourport seat from Ukip
Health campaigner John Thomas has taken back his seat on Worcestershire County Council - just eight weeks after losing it to shamed Ukip councillor Eric Kitson.
Mr Thomas polled 1,055 votes in yesterday's by-election, beating six other candidates including Ukip's John Holden.
Voters went to the polls after Mr Kitson resigned from the Stourport seat he won on May 2 amid anger over offensive and racist comments on his Facebook page. The turnout was recorded as 21.4 per cent with 3,460 votes cast, compared to 29.12 per cent in May.
Councillor Thomas, of Independent Community and Health Concern, said he was "absolutely delighted" to be returning to the county council after his two-month break and said he was keen to begin work immediately.
He said: "It's nice to be going back again. There are five Independents on the county council so we are getting a strong voice. I will be doing all I can for the people of Stourport. I will be speaking to my colleagues and we'll press on and work for the people of Stourport."
Meanwhile Mr Holden, who defected to Ukip from the Conservatives, polled 892 votes.
He said he believed there was still strong support for Ukip despite Mr Kitson's resignation and said he had not regretted the switch.
