"We need to make sure Ventnor has all the tools it needs to survive and thrive going forward."

The Isle of Wight Council's newest representative has said he is 'very grateful' for the trust residents have put in him as he steps into the new role.

Local businessman Ed Blake won last night's (Thursday) by-election in the Ventnor and St Lawrence ward, with 40 per cent of the vote.

He beat candidates from the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats to retain the seat for the Conservatives.

Cllr Blake won by 26 votes, backed by the support of 274 voters, and said he was 'delighted to serve' the people of Ventnor and St Lawrence.

Speaking after his win he said: "I am very pleased to have a chance to help my community. Ventnor is what I hold dearest to my heart. It is my home."

One of his key priorities, Cllr Blake said, was to get the town back going. He said following the landslip in Bonchurch — which has cut off one of the main routes to Ventnor — the town has 'almost ground to a halt'.

Cllr Blake said he hopes to work with his now-colleagues at the council to tackle the problem in the neighbouring ward.

He said: "We have to get Ventnor back to functioning properly with business and small shops under pressure at the moment by the landslip situation and the general wider [economic] situation as well.

"We have to help Ventnor as much as possible. We are a fantastic community and we need to make sure Ventnor has all the tools it needs to survive and thrive going forward."

As part of his campaign, Cllr Blake said he had started working with other Conservative councillors who were campaigning to freeze parking and permit charges for the next two years.

He also believed there should be more free parking in the town.

Cllr Blake will join his colleagues at County Hall in the New Year.

He has filled the seat left by fellow Conservative Gary Peace, who resigned at the end of October for personal reasons.