BUSINESSMAN Steve Count has been selected to fight a safe Conservative seat on Fenland District Council- a year after accusing nine councillors of breaching the code of conduct. Mr Count fought off stiff opposition – including bids by three town councillo

BUSINESSMAN Steve Count has been selected to fight a safe Conservative seat on Fenland District Council- a year after accusing nine councillors of breaching the code of conduct.

Mr Count fought off stiff opposition - including bids by three town councillors- to win the nomination for the March West seat which became vacant following the death of Councillor Peter Skoulding.

Fenland Standards Committee found there was no breach of the code of conduct following allegations that the planning committee had held a secret meeting to discuss a bid for housing at West End, March.

However the standards committee decided there were "other issues which are other of the initial assessment sub committee remit".

On Tuesday past acrimony was forgotten as Mr Count, educated at the former Neale Wade Grammar School for 12 years a partner at Count Sacha lingerie manufacturers' in the town, won selection.

"I'm quite pleased," said Mr Count who admitted he was encouraged by friends to stand following his opposition to the housing scheme in West End proposed by former Mayor Freddie Grounds.