THE Liberal Democrats saw off a strong challenge from It’s our County (IOC) to hold the Belmont ward on Hereford City Council.

Just 45 votes stood between winning candidate Jacqui Carwardine and her IOC rival Hen Bradshaw last Thursday.

That margin made up nearly all of the Tory vote.

Final results:
BRADSHAW, HELEN MARY known as Hen Bradshaw (It’s Our County) 141

BRIDGES, ADRIAN NEVIL (Independent)  102

CARWARDINE, JACQUELINE ANN Known as Jacqui Carwardine (Liberal Democrats0 186 (E)

JOHNSON, JAMES CALLUM (Local Conservatives) 40