INDEPENDENT Nikki Barton won more than double the number of votes cast for Conservative candidate and former town mayor Malcolm Carter in the Haslemere county council by-election, called after Tory member Richard Hampson stepped down mid-term to rejoin the army.

Mrs Barton served as county councillor from 2013-2017 but did not stand for the 2017 election. Her bid to regain the seat in 2019 was boosted by the Lib Dems and Greens deciding not to put up candidates to give her a better chance of winning.

She described the show of solidarity as “a brave, and truly collaborative and constructive decision” reflecting a shared commitment to putting the community of Haslemere before politics.

Speaking after her win, Mrs Barton said: “I think it’s really exciting times for local politics when we can work collaboratively. I feel that’s really a sign of where we should be moving towards. Nothing to do with tribal politics, but about serving the community.”

By-election result:

*Nikki Barton, Independent - 2,665 votes - ELECTED

*Malcolm Carter, Conservative - 1,159 votes

*Adrian Paul La Porta, Labour - 263 votes