Chris Hill A husband and wife team will represent neighbouring halves of Fakenham following a bi-election victory to claim a vacant district council seat.Lib Dem candidate John Lisher was elected in the Lancaster South ward on North Norfolk District Council, which was vacated by the resignation of Stephanie Towers earlier this year.

Chris Hill

A husband and wife team will represent neighbouring halves of Fakenham following a bi-election victory to claim a vacant district council seat.

Lib Dem candidate John Lisher was elected in the Lancaster South ward on North Norfolk District Council, which was vacated by the resignation of Stephanie Towers earlier this year.

The retired naval officer will join his wife Gloria in the council chamber, who already represents the neighbouring ward of Lancaster North.

Mr Lisher, 67, said the couple, who live in Stibbard, intended to work together to address social issues and promote business in the town.

“My wife is the current district councillor and I have been helping her for three years, so I am aware of the issues in the town,” he said. “Housing continues to be a big problem, particularly for younger people. We will be trying to help them in that area.

“Traffic and speeding are always big issues, and we also want to get people into employment and try to promote businesses to expand where they wish to.

“Things like the wind turbines being built at sea will bring lots of work with divers, construction, IT and engineers. There is already a good training centre on George Edwards Road run by Fakenham High School, so this does seem to be a good opportunity.”

Mr Lisher said he could draw on his 35 years experience in the Royal Navy and his subsequent career working for the Ministry of Defence in communication, disseminating intelligence to warships.

“Clearly I have been communicating with a lot of people and responsible for hearing their concerns, which will certainly help in my new role as a district councillor,” he said.

X ref to general election spread on p16 and 17