COLCHESTER'S newest Conservative councillor has promised to "listen to residents" after securing a vacant seat following her by-election victory.

Sara Naylor has been officially confirmed as the new Colchester councillor for the Lexden and Braiswick ward after receiving 1,372 votes.

She defeated two other candidates  - the Labour Party's Catherine Bickersteth, who obtained 161 votes, and Liberal Democrat Kieron Anthony Franks, who was the preferredchoice of 621 residents. 

Sara's win follows the departure of former councillor Martin Leatherdale whose resignation last month triggered a by-election.

Gazette: Resigned - Martin Leatherdale Resigned - Martin Leatherdale

Mr Leatherdale had achieved a landslide victory of 1,416 vote for the Conservatives just three weeks before.

He then decided to become an Independent before very quickly deciding to step down all together, for reasons still unknown.

Speaking after her victory, Sara said: "Lexden and Braiswick residents have resoundingly voted for positive local politics.

"Voters want their elected representative to be a force for good in their communities - I will listen to residents and seek workable solutions to their concerns.

"Residents say their worries include endless building, traffic congestion, road safety and the plan to site giant pylons in the north of the ward.”

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Fellow Colchester Conservative councillor, Darius Laws, who represents Rural Ward North, added: "Voters have renewed their trust in the Conservatives in the Town Hall, rejecting the left wing 'progressive alliance' who run Colchester Council.

"Our campaign was positive and focused in the issues impacting our communities."