A massive majority has given Lib Dem councillor Lorna Dupre the seat as the new county councillor for the Sutton Ward.

She replaces Tory Cllr Phil Read who died before Christmas and had served the area for 40 years.

The by-election won Liberal Democrat Cllr Dupre 1,063 votes - more than the other three candidates put together.

Mike Bradley (Conservative) received 651 votes, Pete Bigsby (UKIP) 208 and Owen Winters (Independent) 102.

Cllr Dupre said: “I’m incredibly grateful to the community for turning out in such large numbers to vote, it is very humbling to see the large majority win, thank you everybody who supported me.

“Key issues are looking at the number of heavy vehicles that use the village as a cut through.

“Also of key importance is the county council budget slashes and ensuring there are no further erosions to services used by local people.

“I also want to make sure public transport is high on my list of priorities to make sure people who do not have a car or cannot drive can still get to work or enjoy leisure facilities.”

The election campaign was a “gruelling” one, said Cllr Dupre, and included the independent candidate Mr Winters illegally fly posting around the village.

“Some 97 posters were removed by Cambridgeshire Highways, they were on telegraph poles, people’s properties, verges,” Cllr Dupre said.

“It is bad manners but is also an offence and not a good idea when standing for public office.”

Cllr Read was a Tory county councillor who quit the Conservatives on East Cambs District Council over selection issues and disenchantment with the party nationally over the bedroom tax and HS2.

He died in December after a long illness.

A farmer, he was first elected to Cambridgeshire County Council in 1975.

He joined Sutton Parish Council in 1973 and was chairman from 1975 to 1977. He also joined East Cambridgeshire District Council in 1973 and served on the planning, environmental health, housing and finance and policy committees.