LEDBURY'S newest town councillor, Jean Simpson, who stood as an independent for the North Ledbury ward, says she wants to be a non-political councillor who represents the whole of the community.

Miss Simpson, of Churchill Meadow, went up against former mayoress, Sue Bettington and George Hamilton Probyn, (Liberal Democrats), and she took the seat in the election of November 3, with 328 votes.

She said: "I believe in a non-political role as a parish councillor, and that I should be for everyone in the community. You support people in the community, by attending to local issues.

"I stood because I saw it as a natural progression, to re-connect with the general public again, after I retired from nursing."

Miss Simpson welcomed "a comprehensive win", and she added: "I'm passionate about Ledbury. Since I've moved here I've become a volunteer at the Heritage Centre and I'm a Friend of the Master's House, Medieval buildings are one of my passions.

"I am also keen to preserve the High Street, by helping to bring in both tourists and local people."

Miss Simpson's professional background is in nursing and she has stressed her "continued interest in people and in their personal needs and concerns".

The vacancy filled by Miss Simpson came about following the resignation of Maria Mackness, last summer.

But there are still two more casual vacancies to fill on Ledbury Town Council.

An election for another Ledbury North seat, following the recent resignation of Phill Bettington, a former town mayor, will take place no later than Thursday, January 19, if ten electors sign a request for an election and return it to Herefordshire Council's returning officer, no later than November 14.

The same procedure and timescale applies for a seat on the Ledbury South ward, left vacant by the recent resignation of Rob Yeoman.