"OVER the moon" was how Malcolm Douglas greeted the news that he had won the vacant seat for the Pinewood ward on Whitehill Town Council.

Liberal Democrat Mr Douglas, a semi-retired hydrologist and father of four who lives with his wife Mimi in Canada Way, Bordon, netted 177 votes in last Thursday's election.

The only other candidate for the seat, vacant following the death of former mayor and Liberal Democrat Don Mayes, was David Williamson who polled 73 votes.