St Albans’ youngest councillor has been elected with a significant majority.

Ellie Hudspith, who is 24, who has lived in St Albans most of her life, attended Beaumont School and works as policy and research officer for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Hatfield Road.

She was elected as the new Liberal Democrat councillor at a by-election in the Clarence ward last Thursday (October 20) with a 60 per cent majority, taking 3.1 per cent of votes from the Conservatives.

Ms Hudspith replaces Lib Dem councillor Sam Rowlands, who stepped down last month due to “personal reasons”.

Now elected, she has pledged to work with fellow Lib Dems Cllr Chris White and Cllr Gerard McHale “to stand up for Clarence Park and bring an end to parking chaos locally”.

Cllr Hudspith said: “It’s an honour to have been elected to be councillor for Clarence ward in this by-election.

“It was great to meet so many local residents on the campaign trail, many of whom were impressed by our record of action in the area and fed up with being taken for granted by the local Tories.

“I hope my election will inspire more young people to consider getting more involved in local politics and decision making.”

She was welcomed to the council by her Lib Dem colleagues who were “delighted” by her election.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for St Albans Daisy Cooper said: “I am over the moon Ellie has been elected to be the newest councillor for Clarence ward.

“I am confident she will make a great councillor.”