THE controversial by-election in Weaverham has resulted in a win for the Independent candidate Julian Bland.

Residents in Weaverham were outraged that an election had been called in the first place, as there were fears it could end up costing up to £3,600.

The parish council was forced to hold the election under electoral law after 10 residents sent in a request asking for one.

That meant the parish council had to foot the bill of £1,500 - usually anyone who is interested in joining a parish council is co-opted on to avoid such costs.

Clr Bland, of Barrymore Road, joins his wife Eileen on the parish council, which is one of only a handful of wards in the country to be fully Independent.

He beat former Weaverham Parish chairman, Brian Jamieson by 195 votes to 84.

Many members of the public had expressed their concerns over the plans and there are fears that a similar event could occur in the empty Gorstage ward.

A spokesman for the parish council said: "We would like to congratulate Julian Bland on his election to the parish council.

"It has demonstrated once again the village does not want the intrusion of party politics into the parish council."