LIBERAL Democratic candidate Anne Claxton has swept back to East Hampshire District Council this week after scooping more than half the votes in the recent by-election.

The delighted winner told The Herald: ÒIÕm very pleased to be back on East Hampshire District Council after a gap of nearly two-and-a-half years Ð by-elections obviously work for me.Ó

Mrs Claxton served for nearly two years as a district councillor representing the St MaryÕs ward of Petersfield. She won the seat at a by-election after the resignation of fellow Liberal Democrat Eugene Fraser.

But Mrs Claxton lost her seat in May l999 when the Tories swept to power at East Hampshire District Council. Conservatives Brian Dutton and Andrew Pattie took the two St MaryÕs ward seats.

She stood for re-election in the recent by-election after the resignation of former Petersfield mayor John Crowhurst.

Mr Crowhurst, also a Liberal Democrat, had served on EHDC for ten years. He resigned at the end of the summer after claiming that government code of conduct rules had made it impossible for him to speak for the people who elected him.

Mrs Claxton polled 535 of the total 1034 votes cast in the by-election.

Conservative candidate Paul Molloy netted 403 votes and Bill Organ received 69 votes.

Mrs Claxton told The Herald she was keen to get back to work for the community.

She is particularly interested in tackling the controversial parking issues in Petersfield and wants to Ôkeep an eyeÕ on Tesco and its new car park now that the store has finally opened in the town.

Mrs Claxton is also interested in the national park and the waste disposal issue facing East Hampshire District Council and wants to help promote recycling across the district.