A NEWLY-elected New Forest councillor says he hopes to meet the standards of his predecessor who died earlier this year.

Conservative candidate Richard Frampton was elected to the New Forest District Council for the Bransgore and Burley ward to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Cllr Ann Hickman.

Cllr Frampton achieved 834 votes, while UKIP candidate Rosalind Mills gained 171 votes and Labour member Brian Curwain received 74 votes.

Cllr Frampton said: “I am delighted by the overwhelming support I have received.

“Ann Hickman was a very much liked and popular councillor and I will do my best to serve the residents of Bransgore and Burley to her high standards.”

The election was held on Thursday, December 11.