KEITH Budden has been elected to represented the Hangers and Forest Ward on East Hampshire District Council.

A by-election was held on Tuesday for the vacant ward, which includes the villages of Greatham, Liss Forest and Hawkley.

Conservative Mr Budden received 236 votes, narrowly beating Liberal Democrat candidate Roger Mullenger, who received 227 votes.

Don Jerrard, standing for the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party, received 41 votes, and Labour’s Neil Owsnett received 17 votes. The turnout was 27 per cent.

“I’m obviously pleased to win, albeit by a slim margin,” Mr Budden told the Bordon Herald.

“I look forward to serving the people. I think I can make a difference, and make sure their voices are heard.”

He also extended “commiserations” to Mr Mullenger and said the result was “much closer than anyone anticipated”.

However, Mr Budden, who is also chairman of Liss Parish Council, on which he has served for seven years, said this was a good thing as it is going to “keep me on my toes”.

Mr Budden has promised to “do my best to represent all the people who live in these beautiful parts of East Hampshire”.

He said it was important that, while recognising the benefits of the South Downs National Park, “our smaller villages are allowed to expand by a small, controlled amount of housing” to provide affordable housing “for the young people”.

• Pictured: Keith Budden signs the declaration of acceptance of office, with returning officer and chief executive of East Hampshire District Council and Havant Sandy Hopkins.