FARMER Robert Sears, 54, comfortably won the Manea seat on Fenland District Council at last Thursday s by-election prompted by the resignation of deputy council leader Pop Jolley. Mr Sears, currently in Brazil researching bio-fuels with seven other farmer

FARMER Robert Sears, 54, comfortably won the Manea seat on Fenland District Council at last Thursday's by-election prompted by the resignation of deputy council leader Pop Jolley.

Mr Sears, currently in Brazil researching bio-fuels with seven other farmers, told the Cambs Times: "Obviously, I am pretty delighted and I am looking forward to serving Manea village in the best way I possibly can when I return next Friday."

Mr Sears, lives in Ashwicken near King's Lynn, but farms 1,400 acres at Lynford House Farm, Manea. His family have farmed in Manea for eight generations.

The Conservative, who was proposed by Pop Jolley, polled 264 votes, with Chatteris Liberal Democrat Chris Howes and independent Ian Archer finishing joint second with 136 each.

Stephen Wilson, of Manea, also independent, attracted 39 votes with Jess Hibbert, of Whittlesey, scoring 12 votes for Labour.

Turnout was 42 per-cent.