A LLYN businessman has scooped almost half of the votes to take the Pwllheli council seat which was left vacant by his cousin who died this year.

Hefin Underwood received 45.44 per cent of the vote to become the new county councillor for Pwllheli South.

He was up against independent candidate Michael Parry, Llais Gwynedd’s Peta Merrian Pollitt and Alan Williams of Plaid Cymru.

The seat became vacant after Bob Wright MBE died from a suspected heart att­ack while he was taking part in an RNLI rescue mission in September off the Llyn coast.

Cllr Underwood, who runs his own business, Monumental Masons in Pwllheli, said he was happy to keep the council seat within the family.

He said: “I’m thrilled about the win and would like to thank everyone who voted.

“I’m sure Bob would be pleased for me and I’m happy that I can keep the council seat within our family.”

The 59-year-old who was born and bred in Pwllheli and lives within the ward, said he is looking forward to getting to know everyone and be available to discuss any matters which are of concern to people in his ward.

He said: “I am a Pwllheli man so this is great for me as I also live in the ward I will be representing.

“The town has always been very good to me so it will be great to give something back, especially to the people in my ward.

“I’ve had a lot of people come to me to congratulate me for the win which I am very grateful for, so I’m now looking forward to going round in the new year and get to know everyone and see if there are any concerns they have and what I can do to help them.”