A RETIRED boss of a district council is returning to politics after winning a by-election.

Former chief executive of Tendring Council, John Hawkins, will enter the Tendring Council chamber once again after winning the Harwich West seat on Thursday, March 28.

He showed his colours by standing as a Labour candidate to try and retain the Labour seat which was vacant after Harwich stalwart Les Double died in January.

Two seats at town council level were also won by the Harwich Labour Party.

The voting turnout was 21 per cent.

Pam Morrison took Les Double’s Harwich West seat at town council level while Charlie Powell narrowly beat independent councillor Deborah Rich for the Harwich East seat.