Mark Archer

MARK Archer thanked residents of Manea - an “independently-minded village” - after retaining his seat on Fenland District Council for a second term.

Cllr Archer polled 568 votes, beating Tory hopeful and Chatteris resident James Carney’s 201 votes.

Cllr Archer said: “I didn’t take it for granted at all. I have worked hard. James Carney ran a good campaign and canvassed hard and so if he had won it would have been deserved.

“The problem was he was always fighting against a local person. Manea is a very independent minded village and I’m delighted to live in it.

“I wasn’t born in Manea but they have taken me into their hearts and I’m grateful for that.”