THE Liberal Democrats have won the Powys County Council seat formerly held by Brecon and Radnorshire's new Conservative MP.

James Gibson-Watt won the Glasbury by-election called after Chris Davies resigned from the county council following his general election victory in May. Mr Davies won the constituency from Liberal Democrat Roger Williams who'd represented Brecon and Radnorshire since 2001.

Mr Gibson-Watt had previously been the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Powys County Council when he represented Hay-on-Wye from 1999 until losing his seat at the 2008 local government elections.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to once again be representing a community that I've lived in all my adult life, and I will do my best to serve the villages of Glasbury ward to the best of my ability.

"I will fight hard with AMs Kirsty Williams, William Powell and the local community to save Gwernyfed High School from closure by Powys Council – something which is vital to our local community."

Welsh Lib Dem leader and AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams congratulated the newly elected councillor.

She said: "Congratulations to James on his well deserved win. I know he will work tirelessly for his local community, and I look forward to working more closely with him.

"There is no doubt now – the Welsh Lib Dem fightback is truly underway."

During his previous tenure on the council Cllr Gibson-Watt had been a member of the council's power sharing executive board, which has since been disbanded in favour of a cabinet system.

The council remains under control of the two independent groups but Mr Gibson-Watt's victory means the Liberal Democrats now have nine members of the council, which is the same number as the Conservatives.

Result

James Gibson-Watt (Welsh Lib Dems) 457 (elected)

James Evans (Welsh Conservatives) 415

Roger David Hood (Independent) 106

Louise Davies (Green Party) 52

Turnout 56.47%