A campaigner who fought Wymondham Town Council plans to sell off recreation land for a supermarket has pledged to make the council engage more with residents after winning a by-election.

Andy Gardiner, the former chairman of Wymondham Asks Why (WAW) action group, won the Rustens ward seat on Wymondham Town Council at a by-election last Thursday, securing 73pc of the vote, while rival, former Wymondham mayor Len Elston, secured 27pc. The ward had been vacant after Yvette Astley resigned from the town council.

He said: 'I intend over the next three years to form a co-operative of independents party for Wymondham. This will make sure the events of the last 18 months never happen again. I intend to engage all the people in Wymondham especially the youth, who are completely forgotten in many public meetings, over that period.'

The WAW group was formed after the town council members decided to sell the public green space, which is home to Wymondham Town FC as well as a children's play area, to Asda for a new 23,000sq ft store.

In return, the football club would have moved to a new Asda-funded ground at Ketts Park in the town.

However, following a public outcry, led by the WAW group, over the sale of a greenfield site which was home to children's play facilities the council rescinded the resolution to sell the land at a meeting in February.

Mr Gardiner added: 'I would invite all Wymondham residents, especially those in Rustens Ward to use my website www.andymgardiner.co.uk and I will try my best to start the democratic process that Wymondham deserves.'