HAMBLETON'S newest councillor is back down to earth after a victory over the Tories which earned him the personal thanks of the Prime Minister.

Tony Blair was among the first to congratulate Jack Dobson on clinching the Northallerton West seat on Hambleton District Council - albeit by a margin of just 16 votes.

"I first met him when I was chairman of the local Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors and he gave a speech," said Mr Dobson.

"He was busy so we didn't chat for long, but he congratulated me on winning in William Hague's constituency where you would expect the Conservative vote to be strong."

Mr Dobson, Mayor of North-allerton last year and the current deputy mayor, has served on the town council for more than four years.

He said: "I am grateful to the people who have put their trust in me, and I can promise them I will be representing their views at both district and town council meetings."

Mr Dobson polled 239 votes to Tory Ian Parminster's 223 on Thursday, with turnout calculated at 19.6 per cent.