Meteorologist wins by-election

10:37am Friday 11th July 2008

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PROFESSIONAL meteorologist and Liberal Democrat candidate Fiona Hewer has secured victory in the Cookham parish council by-election.

The environmental expert who advises businesses on climate change received 525 votes.

She beat rival candidates, Nigel Topping, who was second with 376 and Beryl McNeaney, who got 74 votes, both independent.

The poll was held after the resignation of councillor John Hewitt from the Cookham Rise Ward earlier this year.

Cllr Hewer said: "I'm absolutely thrilled and it will be an honour to represent the people of Cookham Rise. I owe a lot to all the Liberal Democrat supporters in Cookham and we won because of our hard work talking and listening to people.

"We achieved a high turnout of 34% -almost as much as David Davis' by-election - so that was brilliant. I'm aware that there were a lot of people who felt disinclined to vote so there's always more to do."

She added: "Road safety is one of my priorities for taking things forward."