THE Conservatives have held Grumbolds Ash with Avening ward in yesterday's by-election.

Richard Morgan is the new Cotswold District councillor, having gained 420 votes.

Nicola Baber of the Liberal Democrats polled second with 136 votes while Edward Shelton won 93 votes.

The vacancy arose following the death of long-standing councillor Jim Parsons in September, aged 82.

Cllr Parsons was first elected on to CDC in 1999 and held a number of vice chairman posts during his time on the council, including on the overview and scrutiny, community services grants, best value and review, and audit committees.

The turnout for Thursday's vote was 31.52 per cent.

Full details are available on the election results page of the Council's website.