LIBERAL Democrat campaigners in Teignbridge have been celebrating the election of a new councillor.

Jack Major won the Ashburton and Buckfastleigh by-election which was called after the death of Lib Dem councillor Huw Cox in January.

Former Central Devon MP hopeful for Labour Lisa Robillard Webb, who came second to Tory incumbent Mel Stride in the 2019 and 2017 general elections, stood in the by-election but came fourth behind the South Devon Alliance and Conservatives.

The Labour Party has not yet confirmed whom its candidate for Central Devon will be at the next general election. The Conservative candidate is Mel Stride, the Lib Dems’ choice is Mark Wooding, and Gill Westcott is standing for the Green Party.

Cllr Jack Major’s win – with a majority of 192 – brings the Lib Dem group back up to 26 out of 47 members of Teignbridge Council.

Council leader Martin Wrigley (Lib Dem, Dawlish NE) said: “It’s great to see Jack win with a 192 majority and an increased vote share, and I know that Jack will be a great councillor for the area.

“Huw would have been delighted to see Jack join the council.”

Cllr Cox was chairman of Buckfastleigh Town Council and the town’s mayor at the time of his death.

The by-election results were: Jack Major, Liberal Democrats 715; Sue Clarke, South Devon Alliance 523; Richard Edlmann, Conservatives 325; Lisa Robillard Webb, Labour 303; Pauline Wynter, Greens 295; Michael Hext, Independent 136; Madeleine Hunt, Heritage Party 36.

By Guy Henderson. Additional reporting by Will Goddard