THE Independents now have as many seats on Lancaster council as the Conservative party after winning a by-election last Thursday. Independent candidate, Cllr John Fretwell, easily won the Parks ward in Bare garnering 571 more votes than the second placed Conservative candidate. That means both the Independents and Conservatives have 10 seats each.

In another by-election held on the same day in Hornby the Tories held on easily.

John Fretwell was amazed at the size of his vote. Speaking after the results were announced he enthused: "I was totally shocked. I was expecting it to be really close... when all the bundles of votes started stacking up I couldn't believe it.

"All the Independents worked really hard for me. We all worked really hard. I've lived in Bare all my life and a lot of people know me. I just told them I would do my best.

"I heard a lot about the council as I was going round. Basically I don't think Stanley Henig would walk around here more than once. I think a lot of people don't believe national parties should play such a big role in local politics. It should just be local folks doing their best."

Cllr Fretwell, a butcher by trade, talked of the positive feedback he had received on his first day. "People have been ringing up my shop all day. One lady I know who's in her 90s comes in every day. She cried because she was so happy when I won."

The results in the Parks ward were: John Fretwell, Independent - 845; David Le Bas, Conservative - 274; Leslie Houghton, Labour - 106; Majorie Buck, Liberal Democrat - 64.

The results in the Hornby Ward were: Clive Lamb, Conservative - 451; Henry Humphreys, Liberal Democrat - 261; John Greathead, Independent - 50; Kevin Dixon, Labour - 80.

Cllr Lamb replaces outgoing former councillor Geoff Hannah in the Hornby ward. In Parks ward former councillor Jean Race vacated the seat.

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