Last night saw the Conservatives celebrating victory after part of Norfolk went to the polls.

Judith Virgo was the winner in the Norfolk County Council by-election for the Humbleyard division, to elect a councillor to represent Bawburgh, Colney, Cringleford, Hethersett, Keswick and Little Melton.

She said: 'I am absolutely delighted to be able to represent all the voters in Humbleyard. I've had a bit of a break but I am pleased to be back. I feel it is an endorsement of the Conservative group's policies and of the Big Conversation which has been going on.'

Mrs Virgo, who lives in Cringleford, is no stranger to County Hall – having been the county councillor for Humbleyard between 2006 and 2009 and having worked for Norfolk County Council in social services for eight years.

Five candidates battled it out in the election, but Mrs Virgo was a comfortable winner with 1,015 votes.

Jacky Sutton, Liberal Democrat, was in second place with 438. Former Hethersett High School headteacher Marian Chapman was third with 424 votes for Labour, Green candidate Jan Kitchener was next with 170, while Toby Coke (UK Independence Party) garnered 133 votes. There were five void votes. Total vote was 2,185, which included 964 postal votes. Turnout was 26pc.

The by-election was triggered after former county council leader Daniel Cox resigned in the autumn.