HE may have retired from the district council, but veteran councillor F John Smith will still play an active part in local politics.

Cllr Smith, a former leader of North Herts district council who stepped down earlier this year, was elected to represent Meridian ward at the ballot held yesterday.

He polled 517 votes as part of a Conservative clean sweep in Meridian ward. Paul Grimes and Mike Harrison were re-elected with 544 and 541 votes respectively. Robert Smith (494 votes) and Marguerite Phillips (508 votes) are also back on the council.

Of the other candidates, Liberal Democrat Karen Davies fared best, securing 328 votes, with her fellow Lib Dems Jean Emes (248 votes), Julie Inwood (276 votes), John Ledden (240), and Lisa Thompson (272 votes) were less successful.

Labour candidates Vaughan West and Carlo Zambonini received 165 and 163 votes respectively, with a turn out of 23.03 per cent.