VACANT positions on Droitwich Spa Town Council and Wychavon District Council left by the death of Councillor Glenise Noyes, have both been filled.

Wychavon District Council held a by-election to decide on the new councillor for Droitwich East, which received a turnout of only 22.13 per cent of voters.

Karen Tomalin was elected for the Conservative party out of four potential candidates including representatives from UKIP, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats. She received 495 votes, coming in 320 votes higher than the Labour candidate in second place.

Mrs Tomalin, who is a director of Bras 2U Ltd in the town, was also co-opted onto Droitwich Spa Town Council, after the other candidate for the vacant seat withdrew from the contest.

A second by-election has also been held this month for a vacant seat on North Claines Parish Council.

The election was won by Robert Hollis for Fernhill Heath Residents Association with 296 votes, a majority of 40 votes over retired estate agent Celia Bradnock .

Nigel Addison who had previously been voted into the position but failed to sign his declaration of acceptance of office, came in third place in the contest with only 66 votes.