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Former daily journalist succeeds in bid to win council seat for Tories

A former regional daily journalist has succeeded in his bid to become a councillor on his old patch.

Chris Dixon, who served as district news editor at Blackpool-based daily The Gazette from 2012 to 2016, has been elected as a Conservative member of Fylde Council following a by-election.

The by-election was triggered by the death of former council leader David Eaves, who stood down from his Ansdell seat in April for health reasons and died two months later.

Since leaving The Gazette, Chris has worked as senior case worker for Fylde’s Tory MP Mark Menzies.

Chris Dixon

He polled 715 votes in the by-election, compared to Labour opponent Gareth Nash’s 272.

Chris, pictured, told The Gazette: “I’m delighted to have been elected to represent the people of Ansdell and I will do my all to fight for the area.

“I have some huge shoes to fill; David Eaves was a true champion for Ansdell.

“I now look forward to continuing to work with councillors Richard Redcliffe and Ben Aitken to make good on our promises to press for funding for the area.”