Landslide victory for Leslie Manson

Orkney Islands Council’s former executive director of education, leisure and housing has been elected as councillor for the Kirkwall West and Orphir ward.

Leslie Manson, who retired from the local authority in May, received 647 first preference votes.

He joins Councillors Alan Clouston, David Tullock and John Richards representing the ward.

Gillian Skuse received 281 votes and Lorraine McBrearty 142.

The late Laurence Leonard received 55.

There were 1,125 valid ballot papers and five rejected ballot papers. The turnout for the by-election was 31.32 per cent.