Businessman wins election

Marlborough businessman Martin Houlden has won a seat on the Town Council, following a hotly-contested election last night.

Martin, who owns web developers South Design and is the technical wizard behind Chamber News and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, stood as a Conservative and won 65 percent of the vote, ahead of Lib Dem candidate Steve Pascall.

The by-election was called after Tory councillor Stan Radnedge stepped down. The turnout was 29 percent, around 10 percent higher than the national average for an August borough council by-election.