LIB Dem candidate Nancy Jirira was voted in as the new councillor for Fortune Green on Thursday

LIB Dem candidate Nancy Jirira was voted in as the new councillor for Fortune Green on Thursday.

Ms Jirira, a NHS health worker and the council's first female black councillor, received a huge endorsement with more than double the number of votes given to the second placed candidate.

Speaking to the Ham&High after the by-election she said: "I am overwhelmed and feel very honoured to have received the majority I did. I am looking forward to starting on the council and there are lots of local issues I want to bring in."

Ms Jirira, who lives in Sarre Road, won 1,206 votes in the ward, with Tory candidate Heather Downham coming second with 551 votes. Labour's nominee Tulip Siddiq received 405 votes and Green candidate Tim Wilmott got 178 votes.

Ms Jirira replaces Cllr Jane Schopflin, who died in December after representing the area for 17 years.