THE LIB DEMS held on to a Wokingham town centre seat with a very comfortable margin.
Cllr Jane Ainslie won Wescott with a majority of 472. She was taking on former Wokingham Borough Council leader David Lee and polled 1,172 votes compared to his 700.
She also won more votes that all her opponents put together.
Four years ago, Maria Gee won the seat for the party, taking the scalp of then council leader Julian McGhee-Sumner.
But Ms Gee decided not to contest the seat again.
The newly elected councillor was delighted with her victory, helping the Lib Dems on their way to becoming the largest party in the council chamber.
“I’m really thrilled,” she said. “I’ve been part of the town council, which has been a great experience, and now to be part of the borough council is really exciting.
“I’ve got a real passion for children’s services and I’m really hoping to get involved in that side of things.”
She thanked party members for their support during the campaign and said of her predecessor: “She’s very inspiring, been very supportive, and leaves me with big shoes to fill.”
To the Wescott electorate, she said: “A big thank you for trusting me. I really want to deliver not just for the people who voted for me, but everyone in Wescott.”
