Ensuring Great Dunmow continues to prosper is one of the aims of a newly appointed town councillor.

Amanda Brown, of St Edmunds, Fields, was co-opted on to the town council on Thursday night – beating fellow candidate and the leader of new political party, Residents For Uttlesford (R4U), Councillor Keith Mackman.

The mother-of-three, who has lived in and around Dunmow for more than 30 years, said the reason she put herself forward is because she “wants to see the town prosper”.

Mrs Brown told the Broadcast: “I feel everybody should get involved but we go through life and we get preoccupied. I now have some time on my hands to be able to go to the meetings and read up about things involving the town.”

She added: “I am very passionate about Great Dunmow and feel the town has a very good future.”

Mrs Brown, former parish councillor and parish clerk in Great Easton, will have to stand for re-election in May but is looking forward to discovering how the council works.

Cllr Keith Mackman said he is unlikely to stand again for a position on the town council in May but wished Mrs Brown all the best in her role. “Mrs Brown is a very strong candidate and I have already sent her my congratulations,” he added.