A councillor who stood down after saying disabled children should be "put down" as they cost Cornwall too much has won back his seat on the authority.

Collin Brewer, 68, who stood in the Wadebridge East ward as an independent won his old seat back by just four votes.

He said: "The people in Wadebridge wanted me to stand and I'm proud to stand for them."

Disability Cornwall said that Cornwall Council hosted an event in October 2011 at County Hall for their councillors to meet equalities based organisations and learn about some of the issues faced by their members at a local level and services available to support people.

A spokesman said: "Upon approaching the Disability Cornwall stand, their staff informed the councillor about the Parent Partnership Service, a statutory contract delivered by Disability Cornwall which supports parent carers of children with special educational needs.

"Councillor Colin Brewer for Wadebridge East responded by saying 'disabled children cost the Council too much money and should be put down'.

Disability Cornwall Advice Services Manager Theresa Court said: “I was absolutely horrified anyone would make such a depraved comment, let alone a Cornwall Councillor and at a public event”.

She added: “As far as I was concerned I had a duty to make a formal complaint against Councillor Brewer to seek appropriate justice.”

Councillor Brewer offered his whole hearted apology, adding he meant no offence for his "ill judged and insensitive" remarks that "should not have been made at all".

He quit after a national outcry over the comments made to Disability Cornwall staff in 2011.

Mr Brewer was found to be in breach of several counts of misconduct while in public office and the Independent Standards Committee ordered him to make a formal written apology to the charity.