Richard Stevens takes seat from Tories in Stone

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th May 2007

Richard Stevens: grateful to everyone who helped

Liberal Democrats gained a seat from the Conservatives yesterday when Richard Stevens was elected to Stafford Borough Council in the Stonefield and Christchurch ward.

"This was a fantastic result for us. Stone has never elected a Liberal Democrat to the Borough before. I am so grateful to everyone who helped in my campaign," said Richard.

Today's count was dramatic. "It was obviously a tight contest," explained Richard. "When the preliminary figures were conveyed to the candidates the Tories demanded a recount. However the recount produced the same figures and we knew we had made history in Stone."

The full result:

• Abbot (Lab) 296

• Agar (Lab) 262

• Brookes (Ind) 427

• Etchells (Con) 554

• Farnham (Con) 802 Elected

• STEVENS (LD) 567 Elected