Dilys Neill of the Liberal Democrats has been elected the new Cotswold District Councillor for Stow-on-the-Wold, taking the seat from the Conservatives.

A by-election took place yesterday, Thursday, September 29, after the death of Cllr Barry Dare in July.

Cllr Neill won the election with 555 votes. David Penman (Conservative) gained 300 votes, turnout was 40.5 per cent.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, September 27 it was announced that the highly respected late Cllr Dare would be posthumously awarded the title of Honorary Alderman.

Cllr Dare served as the councillor for Blockley from 2003 until 2015 and was then elected to represent Stow from 2015 until his death in July.

During his time at Trinity Road, he filled a range of key roles, including cabinet member for corporate resource issues and two stints as chairman of the audit committee.

He also played a leading role in the leisure working group tasked with rebuilding Cirencester Leisure Centre after the 2008 floods.

Leader of CDC, Cllr Lynden Stowe, said: “He was a mentor and a friend.

“We all miss his loyalty, wisdom and huge personality and it will be a pleasure to welcome his close family to the chamber at Cirencester when we make the alderman award at the council meeting in December.”