FEWER than one in 10 voters turned out for a Forest by-election.

There are 1,440 people eligible to vote in the Lydney West ward but only 138 actually did so. The turn-out was 9.6 per cent.

Some 67 voted for Conservative Harry Ives to represent the ward on Lydney Town Council at last Thursday's by-election.

He was followed in second place by Colin Legg (Ind) with 41 votes and Claude Mickleson (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts) with 30.

Forest MP Mark Harper congratulated Mr Ives and said: "I would like to congratulate Harry on his election to Lydney Town Council. Harry grew up in the area, and I know that he will work hard to make a real difference for the people of Lydney. I look forward to working with him in future."