Conservative Holly Whitbread has been elected to Epping Forest District Council, joining her father and council leader Chris Whitbread.

The younger Cllr Whitbread, who has been a member of Epping Town Council for the last year, became council member for Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common with 55 per cent of the vote, a total of 927.

Speaking to the Guardian after the vote count this morning (May 7), she said keeping council tax frozen, providing good frontline services and protecting the green belt were her main priorities.

She said: “I am delighted, it was a hard campaign.

“I worked really hard and made sure I spoke to a lot of people.

“I have been in Epping Town Council for a year, now I really wanted to expand.”

Her father Chris is leader of the Conservative-led council.

Asked if she was following in his footsteps, she said: “Maybe I am, I was on the youth council so we worked together before.

“We share a similar vision but I have my own views and I am very keen to display them.”

The older Cllr Whitbread said: “It is going to be interesting.

“Holly is very independent-minded and I look forward to working with her as I look forward to working with my whole team.”

The closest competition in Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common was Cherry McCredie, who took 23 per cent of the vote for the Liberal Democrats.