A FORMER deputy headteacher admits he has a difficult act to follow after being elected to Maidstone Borough Council.

David Marchant, 69, will represent Downswood and Otham ward as an Independent after securing victory in last Thursday’s poll.

The by-election followed the death in August of Independent group leader Cllr Fred Winckless who had served the two communities on as a borough councillor since 1984.

Mr Marchant, who lives with his wife Liz in Otham, was until 1992 senior deputy headteacher and head of upper school at Vinters Boys School in Maidstone, now known as Valley Park School.

He said: "I am very honoured to have been elected to serve the people of Downswood and Otham. It is a tremendous endorsement of the work that Fred Winckless did.

"He will be a difficult act to follow but I hope I will be able to continue what he did by presenting the local view and serve residents to the best of my ability."

* The full result of the by-election was as follows:

Timothy Crockford - Con 184

Audrey Gardner - Labour 14

David Marchant - Independent 314

Turnout 24.4 per cent