Sheringham deputy mayor Liz Withington has been elected to North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) after a by-election.

North Norfolk News: Brian Hannah resigned as NNDC councillor due to ill health. Picture: SUPPLIED BY THE CANDIDATEBrian Hannah resigned as NNDC councillor due to ill health. Picture: SUPPLIED BY THE CANDIDATE (Image: Archant)

Town councillor and community activist Liz Withington won the by-election in Sheringham North, holding the ward for the Liberal Democrats.

The vote stood at 48.4pc to the Lib Dems, 43pc to the Conservatives and 8.6pc to Labour.

Mrs Withington has a background in family business and has been a Sheringham town councillor since 2015. She is known locally for her tireless community work and commitment to causes that include youth opportunities, local transport and dementia services.

Her predecessor, Brian Hannah, retired through ill health. He had represented the Sheringham North ward for 22 years and a spokesman for NNDC said at the time of his resignation that he had "been a champion of community safety issues on the council".

Throughout his time in the chamber, Mr Hannah ran his own blog named 'Sheringham Matters' where he posted his views on various projects in the town.

He was also involved in the road safety campaign for the three-way junction on the A148 Cromer-Holt road.

Leader of the council, Sarah Bütikofer, who represents the Liberal Democrat Group, said he had made "a very significant contribution to the life of the district council over the past 22 years, helping many people in his local community of Sheringham and across the wider district".

Nationally, it was a good night for the Lib Dems, who also won the Trowbridge Lambrok Ward in Wiltshire from the Conservatives (57.8pc Lib Dem, 42.2pc Conservative).