ASHWELL Parish Council has co-opted former district councillor and county councillor Ian Simpson into its ranks. Mr Simpson was chosen after a vacancy came about when only two out of three candidates stood in a recent parish council by-election. Mr Simps

ASHWELL Parish Council has co-opted former district councillor and county councillor Ian Simpson into its ranks.

Mr Simpson was chosen after a vacancy came about when only two out of three candidates stood in a recent parish council by-election.

Mr Simpson has been a Liberal Democrat county councillor representing the North Herts Rural division on Herts County Council and was a councillor on North Herts District Council for a seat in Letchworth.

He was elected after the parish council held a secret ballot.

Mr Simpson, who has lived in Ashwell for the past six years, said: "I have been involved with the ongoing issues within Ashwell for a while now, as I covered the area within my role as a county councillor.

"Now I have the opportunity to get involved on a more local level.

"I have a lot of enthusiasm for the village and know it pretty well. I know the ropes and the people to talk to within the county and district councils, so hopefully my experience and expertise will benefit the village."

He added that Ashwell was a "very special village".