THE Conservatives have retained control of New Forest District Council following a by-election.
Newly elected Councillor Fran Carpenter will represent Barton ward.
She replaces long-standing Cllr Ken Austin who has retired from his district council position on health grounds.
Her election means the Conservatives retain their 31 seats on the district council, alongside the 28 Liberal Democrat and one Independent councillors.
Cllr Carpenter, 42, lives with her husband David, 46, in Cliffe Road, Barton on Sea. The couple, who do not have any children, moved to Barton on Sea from Harrow in West London about two years ago.
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