Retired university lecturer Michael Steed has won the Canterbury City Council by-election for the Liberal Democrat group.

He polled 993 votes in the Barton ward seat, vacated by fellow Lib Dem Lee Glendon who quit after finding work outside the area.

Tory Mark Evans came second with 701 votes followed by the Green Party’s Keith Bothwell with 121 and Blue Cooper of the Council Tax Payers’ Party who polled 102.

The turnout was 33 per cent.

The result does not affect the political complexion of the council – there are 29 Conservatives, 19 Lib Dems and two Labour.