A NEW Richmond town councillor has been elected to fill a gap in the town's central ward.

Steve Cook, 44, from I’anson Road, has lived in Richmond all his life and is a member of three main charities, the Richmond Duck Club, Richmond Meet and the Richmond Round Table.

The electrician was voted in on the same day as the North Yorkshire County Council election on Thursday, May 2 , and was elected over another candidate, Paul Hadden.

He replaces former town councillor Mike McGarry, whose work commitments in India meant he had to stay longer than intended, surpassing a six-month rule - which means councillors can' be absent from council meetings for longer than that period.

He said: “I have lived in Richmond all my life and know most people, either personally or through my business SC Electrics.

“I handed a lot of leaflets out before the election, and I knew my opponent was well known in the town too so thought it might be a close call.

“I’m very glad to have been elected, but still have to sign all the papers before I’m officially a councillor.

“My first event will be the Mayor Making evening on Monday, May 20.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to doing my best to help people in my area.”