SOUTH HOLLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2019: History is made in Spalding St John's ward where voters elect area's first Asian member

The popular owner of an Indian restaurant in Spalding is now the area's first-ever Asian district councillor.

Manzur Hasan (Ind) made history after coming top in the polls for Spalding St John's ward, netting 507 votes to take one of the two seats on offer.

Jack McLean (Con), chairman of Spalding Town Forum during the last district council term, retained his seat with 435 votes.

But there was disappointment for Jan Whitbourn (Con) who, after serving Whaplode and Holbeach St Johns ward as a district council for nearly two years, failed to win a seat.

Coun Hasan, who runs Indus Indian Cuisine in Winsover Road, said: "I'm so pleased because I've been running a business in Spalding for a very long time.

"People have been supporting me throughout this year and I wanted to give something back to the community.

"I believe in communities first and so the trust that people have put in me, I will do my very best for my community."

The win was more remarkable for Coun Hasan, who now joins a 13-strong Independent cohort on South Holland District Council, as he admitted to having done just three weeks of canvassing."

"I was abroad and I recently got married," Coun Hasan said.

"But when I knocked on people's doors, I got such a fantastic response and they really appreciate who I am.

"I'm not a political person and this is something I want to do without any party political influence.

"I just want to serve my community, in my way."