TWO Liberal Democrats have been elected to Andover Town Council.

Luigi Gregori and Robin Hughes were chosen to represent the Harroway ward after former Andover Alliance councillors Peter Scott and Dorothy Day left the council in November, after not turning up to a council meeting in six months.

The Lib Dem duo join deputy mayor councillor Lauren Banville, who now stands as an independent, representing the ward.

The mayor of Andover, Cllr Richard Rowles, congratulated the victorious candidates this morning, saying: "After the by-election in Harroway yesterday, I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate Robin and Luigi on their success, and I look forward to the next full council meeting where hopefully they will be sworn in.

"I'm sure our town will then benefit from their considerable experience, I look forward to working constructively with them in the future."

Mr Gregori won 31.4 per cent of the vote, with Mr Hughes taking 29.3 per cent.

They fended off competition from two candidates from the newly-formed Andover Independents Party - the first time they have put candidates forward.

Nicholas Asamoah and Madeleine Fairweather returned 16.8 per cent and 22.5 per cent of the vote respectively.

However, turnout was low, with just 12.4 per cent of registered voters casting their ballots.

Mr Gregori stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate in last year's general election, coming in second place with a 7.7 per cent increase in vote share than two years previous.

He returned 17.5 per cent of the vote, almost 50 per cent behind the re-elected Conservative MP Kit Malthouse.