THE county council division of Kendal Strickland & Fell has been held by the Liberal Democrats following yesterday's by-election.

It was triggered by the death in March of the former South Lakeland District Council leader and county councillor Brendan Jameson.

John McCreesh is the new county councillor for Kendal Strickland & Fell after securing 1,157 votes.

The results for other candidates were as follows: Paul Braithwaite (Labour) 542 Patrick Birchall (Conservative) 268 Malcolm Nightingale (UKIP) 110 Turnout was 42.1 per cent.

The result means Cumbria County Council consists of 38 Conservative members, 25 Labour members, 14 Liberal Democrat members, four Independent members, two Genuine Independent members and there is one vacancy.