LIBERAL Democrat David Lovell won the Warminster East by-election on Thursday with a majority of 41 votes over the Conservatives.

The result is a swing away from the Conservatives, as the ward had three Tory councillors elected to West Wiltshire District Council in the 2003 elections. In the 2003 elections the three Conservatives had an average vote of 1,185, while the Lib Dems had an average of 428.

Cllr Lovell, 54, of Were Close, Warminster, said: "I want people to know I am available when they need me and will act to help anyone in Warminster East." Cllr Lovell, who has lived in Warminster since the 1980s, said he supported Warminster Hospital and wanted to set up a campaign group for health matters in the area.

He said: "Train services in Warminster are under threat and I want to see three coaches on the Portsmouth-Cardiff service, not the proposed two." Cllr Sarah Content, Lib Dem council leader, said: "I'm delighted to have David as our newest councillor. Now the voice of the people in Warminster East will be heard loud and clear in the council chamber."

Cllr Lovell received 777 votes, William Parks (Con) 736, Michael Turner 121 and Joan Law (Independent) 120. The turnout was 28.58 per cent.

The political make-up of WWDC is now 19 Lib Dems, 17 Conservatives, three Labour, two from the Independent Group, two from the West Wiltshire Independents Group and one ungrouped independent. The vacancy followed the resignation of Cllr Kay Whatley-Gibbs (Con) for family reasons.