The Liberal Democrat candidate has won the by-election for the Westmorland and Furness council seat.

Nicki Vecqueray has been elected Westmorland and Furness Council Member for Eamont and Shap after winning the by-election held in the ward on Thursday, February 27.

A Liberal Democrat, Councillor Vecqueray won the seat vacated at the end of December by the retirement of Councillor Neil Hughes.

Speaking after the declaration, Councillor Vecqueray said: “I’m very grateful to all the people who voted for me, across Eamont and Shap.

“I’d like to thank all the people who campaigned for me and I’d like to thank all the candidates for fighting a fair and reasonable campaign.

“Finally, I’d like to thank all the staff at Westmorland and Furness Council for all the good work they’ve done during the election.

“Not only for the efficient count, tonight, but also for their work in the polling stations and throughout the campaign.”

The result means that the Liberal Democrat Party, led by Councillor Jonathan Brook, maintains its majority on the council with 37 out of 65 seats.

The Labour Party with 15 seats, the Conservative Party with 10 seats and Independents with three seats make up the rest of the council’s numbers.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron extended his congratulations on Councillor Vecqueray’s win saying: “A fantastic day campaigning in the Eamont and Shap by election.

“Congratulations to Lib Dem Nicki Vecqueray on her amazing win – taking 67 percent of the vote with a swing of almost 8 percent from the Conservatives.”

A total of 1,174 valid votes were cast in the Eamont and Shap by-election, representing a turnout of 34.07 percent.

Of the votes cast, Councillor Vecqueray received 789 votes with The Conservative Party Candidate, Hector Meanwell, receiving 241 votes.

The Green Party candidate, Pamela Pottinger, received 68 votes and the Putting Cumbria First candidate, Jonathan Davies, received 76 votes.

No ballots were rejected.