LIBERAL Democrat candidate Vikki Slade has won the Broadstone by-election with a landslide victory.

Cllr Slade will be returning to to the Borough of Poole following a year-long absence after she won nearly 70 per cent of the vote at Thursday’s election.

She was first elected to the council in 2011 but chose not to fight for her seat last year in order to stand as a parliamentary candidate for Mid Dorset in the general election. She lost to Conservative candidate Michael Tomlinson but says she is very happy to be heading back to the council.

“I’ve already got three campaigns under my belt which I’m not going to give up on,” said Cllr Slade.

“They are saving the school bus in Merley, the campaign to save Poole Hospital and I want to focus on road safety across the borough.

“For me ‘20 is plenty’ simple. I would like top see all the little roads in Broadstone town centre become 20mph.

“At then end of the day if you get hit at 20mph you have a better chance of surviving.If reducing the speed limit saves just one life then it’s worth it.”

Thursday’s by-election was triggered after Conservative councillor Jo Tomlin resigned on health grounds in September.

The result means the Borough of Poole remains in Conservative control. There are 30 Conservative, seven Liberal Democrat, three Poole People, one UKIP and one Independent members.

Cllr Slade said she was glad to see another councillor added to the Lib Dem team at the Borough.

“We need to make sure that the council leadership is held to account and that the public is aware of everything that goes on and that nothing slips under the radar,” added the mum-of-four.

The Broadstone councillor has lived in the constituency for 17 years. During her time on the council she helped re-open the Broadstone Youth Centre and organised the Jubilee Day.