A former regional daily court reporter has won the council seat left vacant by the death of her husband.

Carmel Townsend, who used to work for the South Wales Argus, won the seat for the Welsh Liberal Democrats in Newport City Council’s St Julians ward.

Carmel, 64, won 53.7pc of the vote in the ward, which was served by her husband Ed prior to his death in May.

She previously worked for the Argus as a freelance magistrates’ court reporter in the early 2000s.

Carmel Townsend, right, with her late husband Ed

Speaking at the announcement of the election result, Carmel said: “I have lived in St Julians for twenty five years. I care very much for our area and I am so grateful for the people who have put their trust in me.

“”When Ed won by one vote Hugh Clark our oldest member said ‘The Flame of Liberalism still burns in the civic centre’ […] The people of St Julians proved that today.”

Ms Townsend previously represented the ward as a councillor in 2008 and also worked behind the scenes when the late Mr Townsend was re-elected as one of the ward’s three councillors in 2012.

Winning with 932 votes, she was followed by Labour with 432 votes (24.4pc), UKIP with 156 (8.8pc), the Conservatives with 135 (7.6pc), Plaid Cymru with 71 (4pc) and the Green Party with 25 (1.4pc).