A LONG-standing Liberal Democrat has boomeranged back into South Lakeland District Council after voters backed him with a large majority.

Jo Stephenson won more than 72 per cent of the vote in the Windermere Town by-election.

Lib Dems received 418 votes, the Conservatives 85 and Labour 50.

The result will Mr Stephenson return to council meetings after being ousted from a different Windermere seat in May elections last year.

At that time, he was beaten by Conservative councillor Ben Berry in a closely fought competition for the Windermere Applethwaite and Troutbeck seat which Mr Stephenson had represented for several years previously.

This week’s election was called after previous councillor Sandra Britton had to step down to care for her father.

Mr Stephenson said: "I want to thank local residents for the help, support and trust they have placed in me.

“I will work hard every day to repay that. I will join Tim and the local Lib Dem team and we will continue to work hard all year round for the community and fight for a better deal for Windermere."

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: "I want to congratulate Jo for his hard work - he will be fabulous on the council.

“He really is a fantastic community champion. Jo has a real track record of action for Windermere and I know he will continue to do all he can to improve the village and support local residents.”