The Liberal Democrats have taken a seat off the Conservative Party at North Norfolk District Council.

Marion Millership polled almost twice as many votes than her nearest challenger Tony Lumbard in the Waterside by-election, the result of which was announced just before midnight on Thursday.

The district council is now made up of 31 Conservative members and 17 Liberal Democrats, who have won the last three by-elections, with the Tories remaining the ruling party.

Mrs Millership said: 'I'm delighted that the people of Waterside have put their trust in me to give them a voice and to be able to represent them fully on the district council.'

A by-election was called after previous incumbent Ben Jarvis, of the Conservatives, was removed from office after failing to attend a single meeting of the district council in six months.

The newly-elected councillor revealed some of the biggest issues raised on the doorstep while out campaiging included speeding in the community and the condition of pavements. She added that she would continue in her role as a parish councillor in Sutton.

Mrs Millership added: 'I've started taking up case work for people during the election and will continue to pursue those isssues.'

The result was as follows: Marion Millership (LibDem), 649 votes; Tony Lumbard (Conservative), 410 votes; Barry Whitehouse (UKIP), 77 votes; and David Russell (Labour), 41 votes.

A total of 1177 ballot papers were cast and none were rejected. However, only a third of those registered bothered to vote, with the turnout recorded at 33.18 per cent.

Waterside - which covers the parishes of Catfield, Hickling, Ludham, and Potter Heigham - is a two-member ward, with Paul Rice the other councillor representing the area on the district council.

Congratulating his party colleague on her victory, North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled at Marion's win. She is an enormously dedicated person who will make a great councillor.

'This now makes three wins in a row in North Norfolk. It reflects what's happening across the country with by-election gains from Sunderland through to Norfolk and across to the West Country. It's happening in rural and urban Britain.

'With the Labour Party in such a mess, people are crying out for an effective alternative to the Conservative Government. We have a lot of work to do but we need to build an Liberal, progressive, decent movement of change.'

Suggesting reasons for the party's recent by-election success, Councillor Sarah Butikofer, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group at North Norfolk District Council, added: 'I think because the tide is turning, and people want to see a political group who they believe will stand up for them and fight their corner for them and listen to them.' And she added: 'I'm delighted to have her on board.'