A CONSERVATIVE candidate has been elected a county councillor in Prestatyn.

Anton Sampson will represent the Prestatyn North ward on Denbighshire County Council, having won yesterday's (October 24) by-election.

He won 25.9 per cent of the vote, with turnout at the by-election 33.2 per cent.

His fellow Prestatyn North councillors are Jason McLellan, the county council’s leader, and Kelly Clewett (both Labour).

Cllr Sampson, formerly the town’s mayor, replaces Gill German on Prestatyn North, after she was elected the Labour MP for Clwyd North in July.

He said: “I would like to mostly send a huge thank you to the residents of the Prestatyn North ward for having faith in me and giving me their support.

“I fully understand that many people have been put off politics lately, but my emphasis has always been to choose whoever you think will best be a voice for your concerns locally. I think that is what people want and need.

“All of the candidates rely on helpers and family when campaigning and I would really like to thank so many people who gave so much of their free time to help me get elected. It simply wouldn't happen without them.

“I'm under no illusion that things are going to be easy in the coming years, but I'm ready to face all of our important issues.

“I was up against many strong, well-known candidates in this election, and I would like to thank them for being gracious towards me at the count, and fighting generally clean and honest campaigns. 

“The different parties get along pretty well in Prestatyn and I've never had any time for petty politics. We all do this for our town and county, and are united in doing the very best we can.”

Prestatyn North by-election results (Denbighshire County Council)

  • Anton Sampson (Conservative) - 295 votes - 25.9 per cent
  • Tony Flynn (Independent) - 221 votes - 19.4 per cent
  • Gerry Frobisher (Reform UK) - 218 votes - 19.2 per cent
  • Neil Gibson (Labour) - 212 votes - 18.6 per cent
  • Paul Penlington (Plaid Cymru) - 169 votes - 14.9 per cent
  • Keith Richard Kirwan (Lib Dems) - 23 votes – 2 per cent

Turnout - 33.2 per cent

Meanwhile, in the elections for Prestatyn Town Council's North and Central ward, independent candidates Rachel Flynn (North) and Peter Charles Duffy (Central) were both successful.

Prestatyn North by-election results (Prestatyn Town Council)

  • Rachel Flynn (Independent) - 273 votes - 41 per cent
  • Jacob Riddle (Conservative) - 207 votes - 31 per cent
  • Gerry Frobisher (Reform UK) - 183 votes - 28 per cent

Turnout - 20 per cent

Prestatyn Central by-election results (Prestatyn Town Council)

  • Peter Charles Duffy (Independent) - 272 votes - 44 per cent
  • Jon Harland (Wales Green Party) - 181 votes - 30 per cent
  • Adam Clews (Conservative) - 160 votes - 26 per cent

Turnout - 21 per cent