TORIES kept their stranglehold on Fenland District Council with a decisive by election win. The victory in March West brings the tally of Conservatives on the council back to 39, leaving opposition in the hands of the sole independent councillor. Steve Co

TORIES kept their stranglehold on Fenland District Council with a decisive by election win.

The victory in March West brings the tally of Conservatives on the council back to 39, leaving opposition in the hands of the sole independent councillor.

Steve Count, a local businessman, polled 830 votes, easily defeating Labour's Martin Field into second place with 460 votes.

Lib Dems came in third with their candidate Ann Elliott securing just 250 votes.

Turn out was 28 per cent.

Yesterday's by election was caused by the death this summer of long serving councillor Peter Skoulding.

At the 2007 elections, Tories took all three seats in a four horse race, with Lib Dem Stephen Court only 150 votes short of winning one of the seats.

However in yesterday's poll Mr Court only contested the vacant town council seat in a straight battle with Steve Count. Mr Court polled 591 votes for the town council seat but victory, again, went to the Conservatives with Steve Count picking up 888 votes.

Some voters were obviously confused by the two polls- for the district there were only four spoilt ballot papers but this number rocketed to 28 ballot papers rejected for the town council seat.