CHIPPENHAM councillor Desna Allen has vowed to continue her good work in the town despite losing her unitary seat – just two days after her husband, Bob, died.

The Liberal Democrat, who had been a Wiltshire Councillor for two terms, lost her unitary seat to Ashley O’Neill from the Conservative Party by 536 to 817 votes at last Friday’s local elections.

Councillor Allen attended the count after her husband of 46 years died on Wednesday evening after suffering from heart disease.

She said: “I was very upset at the loss of my husband, his timing wasn’t perfect, but he was always supportive of me and I know he was very proud of me when I became councillor for North Wiltshire district because he cried.

“I was very disappointed to lose my unitary seat because I thoroughly enjoyed my time doing it.”

A total of 1,357 people turned out to vote for the unitary seat of Queens and Sheldon, the equivalent of 41.27 per cent.

Despite not retaining her Wiltshire Council seat, Coun Allen was re-elected as a town councillor having already sat on the local council for 18 years.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be elected as a town councillor again, I want a skate park in Chippenham and I’m still very keen for more youth facilities,” she added.