I WRITE to thank every single one of the 381 people who took the time and trouble to return a postal ballot or visit the polling station on a chilly November day to support me in last week’s Norton West by-election.

I am very grateful to you all for putting your faith in me and achieving such a resounding result.

I stood for election on my personal track record in Norton representing local people and acting on the issues raised with me as a town councillor. I will now be fighting our town’s corner at district level as well.

Norton is still too often seen as a ‘poor relation’ to Malton and this attitude needs to change. The town has the bigger population of the two communities, with significant businesses based here and a good range of independent traders at its heart.

I will continue to support business growth and development in Norton and fight to protect our town from further damage that the Tory majority at Ryedale District Council threatens to inflict on us.

Above all, I see my role as a district and town councillor as representing your views, concerns and aspirations as a community and as individuals as the people who have elected me – I always have and always will try to do this to the best of my ability.

Many thanks to all those who put their faith in me in the ballot box – I appreciate and value the support of every single one of you.

Coun Di Keal, Norton