CONSERVATIVE candidate Deborah Matthews has been elected as town councillor for Burnham South.

The newly elected town councillor for Burnham and Highbridge Town Council secured 568 votes at the election on June 8 - the same night as the snap general election.

Mrs Matthews fought off stiff competition for her seat - Liberal Democrat Beverly Milner Simonds, who secured 435 votes and UKIP’s Brian Hobbs who came third with 115 votes.

Mrs Matthews said she is thrilled to have been elected into the role and says she will bring ‘fresh ideas’ to the council.

She added that she is especially looking forward to working with the community and to put forward ideas from residents, groups and organisations within her ward.

Speaking after her victory, she told the News : “I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support during the campaign, and to all those who voted for me.

“It was certainly always going to be close and I would like to extend my congratulations to the other two candidates that stood for their efforts.

“I am already involved voluntarily in several community groups, which stand to have a huge positive impact on our community going forward.

“I look forward to serving as a councillor and working with the community and the town council moving forward.

“I don’t think this position is about looking at what changes I want to make, I think my role is about speak- ing to the residents within my ward, groups and organisations, and seeing how I can help put forward the changes they would like to see.

“I am very keen to be accessible and contactable, and encourage people to email me at deborah@successfulstays.co.uk, or add me on Facebook, facebook.com/DeborahSuccessful- Stays where I will be actively posting about my activities.

“Aside from my role as a town councillor, I will continue to chair and take forward the Burnham and Highbridge Dementia Action Alliance Group and strive to make the resort for dementia aware and accessible and support voluntarily the various organisations I am involved in, which include BiARS and the Dylan Cecil Memorial Fund.”

Mrs Milner Simonds thanked those who voted for her and came to help.

She said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank those who voted for me and those who came together to help during the election process.

“I have a strong desire to see a town council that has a strategic direction that is focuses on its residents.

“I enjoyed the debate on the doorstep with residents and it’s clear that many want to make this town a nicer place to live, work and visit for resi- dents of all ages.

“I will continue to work to these goals from outside of the town council.”

Mr Hobbs congratulated Mrs Matthews on her win.

“I would first and foremost like to thank those people who gave me their support and their vote,” he said.

“I genuinely believe our town council should not be about party politics and would have benefited from a fresh face and someone with no political agenda.

“I do however congratulate Debbie on getting elected and wish her well.”