BILL Davidson is the man to step into the shoes of long-serving councillor F John Smith. Mr Davidson swept to victory in the North Herts district council Royston Meridian ward, a seat which has been held by the retiring Cllr Smith for the last 50 years

BILL Davidson is the man to step into the shoes of long-serving councillor F John Smith.

Mr Davidson swept to victory in the North Herts district council Royston Meridian ward, a seat which has been held by the retiring Cllr Smith for the last 50 years.

Tory candidate Mr Davidson picked up 1,627 votes in Thursday's election, more than all the other candidates put together.

Lisa Thompson (Lib Dem) received 757, Carlo Zambonini (Labour) 394, and Karen Harmel (Green) 172.

Turn out was 71.44 per cent.