CONSERVATIVE councillor Bob Bate has been elected to represent Hazlemere after a landslide victory over his Labour opponent.

The by-election for the Wycombe District Council Hazlemere West Ward had a turn-out of only 29.14 per cent of the electorate.

The ward was represented by community stalwart Cllr Les Taylor who died suddenly in April following a heart operation in a London Hospital.

Cllr Bate bagged the lions share of the vote with 542, Trevor Snaith (Lab) and managed just 153. There was a 13 per cent swing to the Conservatives.

Cllr Bate said: "I wish to thank the people of Hazlemere West for showing their support by turning out and voting for me.

"I pledge to repay their trust in me by giving my very best efforts at District Council and working as tirelessly as did the late Les Taylor in the interests of Hazlemere and the people of the area."

Cllr Bate is 53 and works as a computer analyst. He moved to Hazlemere in 1983 and has been a member of the parish council since 1991 where he was chairman for three years.

He has a 25-year-old son, his wife Jo works as a night sister at Amersham Hospital and he cites his interests as listening to music, sport and travel.

Cllr Bate said: "I would like to publicly record my thanks and gratitude to everyone who advised, encouraged and assisted me during the campaign.

"I have loved living in Hazlemere for the past 19 years and wish to do whatever I can for the village and the community, now and in the future."