Sandbach's Town Ward has a new councillor – local businessman, Dave Poole (pictured) who won his seat last night in the latest Sandbach Town Council by-election.

But the election was not without its drama for there was a recount after the first count revealed there were only 17 votes between Mr Poole and the Labour candidate, John Arnold.

The second count revealed the same results with Mr Poole scoring 394 votes closely followed by Labour candidate, John Arnold with 377 then Liberal Democrat candidate, Michelle Hough with 173 votes.

Mr Poole told Sandbach Nub News: "I would like to thank the electorate for putting trust in me and I will stand by what I said during my campaign.

"It will be an honour to represent the electorate on Town Ward at Sandbach Town Council."

It was the second time lucky for Mr Poole who runs a vehicle breakdown and recovery company and another pioneering the fast charge of electric vehicle.

He stood in the Elworth ward by-election in January, that time as a Conservative candidate.

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Last night's count at Cheshire East HQ at Westfields in Sandbach revealed only 944 of the 4183 people eligible to vote voted.

More than half, 55.9% of the votes, were postal and there was a 22.78 % turnout. Brian Reed, Cheshire East's Head of Democractice Services and Governance, is pictured declaring the results.

It is the third by-election for Sandbach Town Council in the last seven months.

Labour candidate John Arnold, who also stood in Town Ward's October by-election as well as last night's, said he was "gutted".

He told Sandbach Nub News: "I'm very tired and very disappointed with the result. I've worked very hard canvassing.

"I live in the ward and it now means someone is representing Town Ward who doesn't live there.

"I had made a good relationship with people in the ward and was looking forward to serving them. It's a great pity." 

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Labour councillor and Leader of Cheshire East , Cllr Sam Corcoran, who was at last night's count with John Arnold said: "John was a really good candidate and would have made a great councillor."

Michelle Hough, the Liberal Democrat candidate, also stood in the Elworth ward by-election in January, said she will be standing again.

"It's looking good for next year and I will be standing again," she said.

Dave Poole now joins the four other candidates representing Town Ward on Sandbach Town Council – Cllr Ann Nevitt (Conservative), Cllr John Beddows (Labour), Cllr Steve Kirkham (Conservative) and Cllr Alan Smith (Labour).

Sandbach Town Council is made up of 20 councillors across four wards - Town Ward, Sandbach Heath and East Ward, Ettiley Heath and Wheelock Ward and Elworth Ward.

Councillors are elected by public vote every four years. Any vacancies occurring outside of the four yearly election may be filled by co-option or a by-election.