“I WANT to make Winklebury a thriving community once more.”

These are the words of new Winklebury ward councillor Angie Freeman after she was elected to take the seat vacated by Conservative Joe Smith, who resigned in January.

The results of the by-election were announced at the civic offices yesterday, where the 43-yearold Labour candidate won with 824 votes.

Cllr Freeman said: “I think the people of Winklebury have had enough of being messed around, and I want to get things back on track for our community.

“Everyone was so supportive throughout the campaign and I am really humbled to represent the place where I have lived my whole life.”

A big part of Cllr Freeman’s campaign was helping the fight to save Fort Hill Community School, and she is now hoping that in her new role she can make a positive impact on the community.

She added: “First we need to save the school, then we need to get a doctors’ surgery back in Winklebury and there are issues around the future of Budgens as well, all of which we as a community need to support.”

Leader of the Basingstoke Labour group, Cllr Paul Harvey praised the mother-of-two and said that she was the perfect candidate for Winklebury.

He said: “We are now up to 20 seats on the council and I am very happy about that and it is the largest Labour party we have had for more than 40 years.

“Angie has had the people of Winklebury at the heart of her campaign and that is what we are about – making a difference for the people that we represent.”

Cllr Freeman won with 352 votes more than her closest rival, Chris Hendon of the Conservatives.

Mr Hendon said he would now be keeping an eye on the work Cllr Freeman does and that she keeps to the promises she made during the campaign.

He said: “I think we ran a very honest campaign and I congratulate Angie on the victory.

“However, I will now be keeping a close eye on what she does and holding her to account on the promises she has made.”

There were 1,704 votes cast on February 22 for the by-election, with a turnout of 28.55 per cent.

The Lib Dems came a distant third, and last, with 42 votes.