The Conservatives have held on to their seat in the village of St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe at today’s district council by-election.

Peter Jull was elected with 750 votes while Labour contender Charles Woodgate got 314.

Thepoll was called following the retirement of former councillor Paul Watkins, who was leader of Dover District Council for more than a decade.

Cllr Jull, of Southwall Road, Deal, said: “I am honoured to be elected.

“I’m taking a particular interest in planning policy, museums and heritage and the enforcement of littering penalties.”

The 59 year-old businessman went to school locally in Ripple and then began working on farms in St Margaret’s. This link prompted his interest in representing the village.

He added: “My aims and intentions are to get the First Light village tourist leaflet issued.”

St Margaret’s has long claimed to be the village that see the first light of sunlight each day. Cllr Jull is a keen walker and feels this leaflet will also publicise that and the historical routes around.

He added: “I’ll be interested in the farms and footpaths and on the same theme I’m looking for a permissive footpath to open up to Wanstone Battery from Lighthouse Road because the battery has just been purchased by the National Trust.”

Cllr Jull owns Zoom Photos Kodak Express at Skinners Electrical in Deal High Street.

He is also chairman of Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade.