GREEN candidate Martin Baxendale has been elected to represent the Valley Ward at Stroud District Council.

Cllr Baxendale won with 291 votes, only just beating Labour candidate James Heslop who gained 230 votes.

The seat at the district council remains Green after MEP Molly Scott Cato stood down following her election to the European Parliament in May.

UKIP’s candidate Stuart Francis-Love received 76 votes, the Conservative candidate Stephen Davies came in fourth with 67 and Lucille Roderina Christina Roberts from Trade Unionists and Socialists against Cuts received 16 votes.