Wantage Liberal Democrats claim the party's "sensational" success in a town council by-election is proof of its increasing importance to politics in the area.

The group, which controls Wantage Town Council, said they were ecstatic with the result, despite a disappointing 20 per cent turn out, and believed the result boded well for this summer's General Election.

The party's candidates, Jean Kent, of Highclere Gardens, Wantage, and Greta Thornbory, of Belmont, picked up 42 per cent of the vote.

The by-election, in the town's Segsbury ward was prompted by the resignation of two former councillors who have left Wantage.

Cllr Kent, who is the wife of Lib Dem town councillor Peter Kent, said: "We had a good election, though we were rather put out by the weather and the clash with lots of things on television.

"However, I am pleased to be on the council and am looking forward to playing an active role."

The Mayor of Wantage, Jenny Hannaby, said: "It was an excellent result. We have two good, hard-working councillors and now we can all settle down to solve the problems which face the town."

The Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Wantage, Neil Fawcett, said: "It was a sensational result -a vote of confidence in our excellent candidates and in our positive approach to working for the town.