Dave Potter has become Helston's newest councillor after an election for a seat in the town's west ward was held on Thursday.

Mr Potter, an independent candidate from Church Street, won the seat with a total of 67 votes, just over 50 per cent of the those cast, while Danny Keay polled 39 votes and Jo Morley received 26.

Mr Potter, who first moved to Helston 37 years ago and served in the Royal Navy for 33 years, worked for a local business and now runs his own company, said: "I stood for election because I believe in Helston and want to add to the development of the town and its facilities."

He put his success down to engagement with the electorate, which included walking the ward, knocking on the doors of over 96 per cent of eligible voters, and said he was keen to try and increase the number of people who would vote.

He added: "I look forward to working with the other members of Helston Town Council to serve the community and improve facilities in the local area."

The mayor of Helston, Mike Thomas, said: "I'm very pleased to welcome Dave Potter to the council, it will be great to have a new member.

"I spent some time with him today and he is very positive, and really keen to serve the local community. He has a lot of very interesting ideas and is a very aspirational person."

The result marked a 16 per cent voter turnout from an electorate of 818, with 61 postal votes counted out of a possible 109.

The council has announced that it will be filling a vacancy in the south ward by co-option at a special meeting on December 10.

Anybody interested in serving as a town councillor until the next local council elections in May 2017 is invited to submit an

application in writing to the town clerk by noon on Friday, December 4.

Applicants must be over 18 years of age and have to have lived or worked within Helston or a three mile radius of the parish boundary throughout the whole of the preceding twelve months.

Applications should be made to Chris Dawson, The Guildhall, Helston, TR13 8ST.