A mum of one and the assistant director for welfare for the Royal British Legion has been voted on to Sandbach Town Council.

Nicola Cook, an independent, received the most votes in the Elworth ward by-election yesterday(Thursday).

Nicola received 717 votes against 238 for the Conservative candidate Dave Poole and 121 for Michelle Hough, the Liberal Democrat candidate in a fiercely fought election campaign.

The turnout for the Elworth by-election was 22.64 per cent with only 1,081 of the eligible 4774 residents turning out to vote for the one seat up for grabs.

There was only one candidate present, Dave Poole, at last night's count at Cheshire East Council's Westfields.

The two other candidates, Nicola Cook and Michelle Hough were not present at the count to hear that Nicola had won.

Conservative candidate and local businessman, Dave Poole, said he was disappointed not to be elected.

Cheshire East Councillor Mike Benson, who represents Sandbach Town Ward is group secretary of Cheshire East Members and chair of Congleton Conservative Constituency Association and was at last night's count.

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Cllr Benson told Sandbach Nub News: "We're obviously disappointed our candidate didn't win. We'd worked very hard but that's democracy."

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.