The Liberal Democrats have held on to the Waterside seat on North Norfolk District Council in a by-election caused by the resignation of former council leader Simon Partridge.

The Liberal Democrats have held on to the Waterside seat on North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) in a by-election caused by the resignation of former council leader Simon Partridge.

His place is taken by Paul Williams, whose 494 votes edged out Conservative Paul Rice who polled 410 in a six-way fight that saw a turnout of 42pc in the ward which covers Catfield, Potter Heigham, Ludham and Hickling.

Mr Williams, a woodcraftsman from Neatishead, said he was 'a little surprised' with the result but was passionate about helping people in the area.

'I will work alongside local MP Norman Lamb and the Lib Dem team,' he said.

'I am incredibly grateful to the hard-working local team of volunteers who assisted me during the campaign. I was up against an incumbent county councillor who has held office for several years but I enormously appreciate the support of local people.'

Mr Williams added that he needed time to find his feet but said he had already booked meetings starting on Tuesday at NNDC over some of the issues raised during his campaign.

He said: 'I am determined to justify the confidence that local people have placed in me, and to represent the people and businesses within the ward to the best of my ability.

'Until this by-election, I had never considered getting involved in local politics, although I have always been heavily involved in projects in our local community – including Neatishead Village Hall. But when I had thought about what an opportunity I would have to help people in the local area, I had no hesitation in agreeing to it.'

Labour's Denise Burke was third in the vote with 246 just ahead of UKIP's Jeffrey Parkes with 233.

Bringing up the rear were the Green Party's Anne Filgate with 73 and Jean Partridge, Mr Partridge's wife, who stood as an independent and came bottom with 69.