FORMER finance portfolio holder at West Wiltshire District Council, Roy While, has won the Melksham Without South seat for the Conservatives.

Cllr While won by a majority, with former Melksham mayor Terri Welch coming in second for the Liberal Democrats.

The seat was one of the most hotly contested with six candidates standing.

Worryingly for Labour, the party's candidate Louise Smith came in last with 73 votes, 19 fewer than British National Party candidate Mark Kennedy.

Roy While (Cons) 571

Terri Welch (Lib Dem) 361

Paul Carter (UKIP) 162

Michael Sankey (Ind) 116

Mark Kennedy (BNP) 92

Louise Smith (Lab) 73

Turnout: 37.29%