CONSERVATIVES in the Maidstone area are celebrating today after their candidate for the Marden and Yalding by-election romped home with half the vote.

Cllr Paddy Germain, who lives in Marden, was elected to join the ward’s two other Conservative Maidstone borough councillors in the election, forced by the resignation of Conservative Liz McGannan.

Conservatives managed to retain the seat with 726 votes, while the other three candidates shared 731 votes between them.

Liberal Democrat candidate Carol Jacques received 535 votes; Labour’s John Hughes received 153 votes and Brian Hogg, UK Independence Party candidate, received 43 votes.

Cllr Germain, 67, who lives in the village with his wife Jo, said his election was a new beginning for the ward, which had been through some difficult times over recent months.

The ward is represented by Cllr Annabelle Blackmore (Con), who has been at the centre of controversy since her move to Bermuda, and Rodd Nelson-Gracie (Con). Cllr McGannan had been criticised for being an ‘absent’ councillor.

Cllr Germain said: “It is a really good result because it shows voters were taking into account the person and not the history of the ward. I am relieved that although there was some bad publicity, and events which some people were quite scathing about, they did not all desert us. I think we are all also encouraged by the party having a new leader.”

He added: “Although it means there is no change on the council, it is also the shape of things to come. We are now in the situation that we have a very good councillor in Bermuda and two other councillors - the three of us can work together and will be able to do a good job.

Leader of the Conservative group on Maidstone Borough Council, Cllr Eric Hotson, said: “This was an incredible result and I am delighted for Paddy. He is a local man who has worked extremely hard talking basics with the people in the patch."

Only 24 per cent of those eligible voted.