A VICTORIOUS Dorothy Kirk this week said she was delighted at having reclaimed the Gunnislake and Calstock seat for Labour from the Conservatives in the Cornwall Council elections.

Cllr Kirk ended a four-year gap, following a 28-year Labour reign, successfully unseating Tory councillor Russell Bartlett by 59 votes.

She described her reaction as one of 'surprise and an overwhelming sense of responsibility'.

She said:?'When you aim at something it is always a surprise when you receive it. I was also very humbled that all those people put their trust in me.'

The Labour candidate, a former Tavistock College teacher, gained 477 votes, with Russell Bartlett on 418, UKIP candidate Sam Gardner 341 and Liberal Democrat Martin Emery on 152.

A close friend of Labour councillor the late Godfrey Smale, who held the Gunnislake and Calstock seat from 1981 to 2009 when he stood down, Mrs Kirk said she wanted to perpetuate his record of dedication and service.

'Godfrey is a hard act to follow but I did not want to lose the determination and service he gave to the community.

'I was always supporting him and I think people know me as someone who has been really active in the community for years and I hope they feel they can trust me.'

Mrs Kirk has lived most of her life in Gunnislake and said she wanted to help give the community and South East Cornwall a stronger voice at county level.

She has been a Calstock parish councillor for many years and stood as an independent in the 2009 Cornwall County Council election, losing out to Russell Bartlett. She was also a candidate for the European elections in 1994 for the Cornwall and West Devon constituency.

'I am very flattered and honoured that people have voted for me, now I want to achieve a situation in which local people feel their interests are heard and respected at the heart of Cornwall,' added the Cornwall councillor.

'The bulk of the population of Cornwall is in the South East so our needs should be better represented. I want to improve the lot for local people so there are no disparities between communities .'

As a new Cornwall councillor Mrs Kirk said it was about 'getting to know and being known'.

'I hope to bring some sense and some respect to the table. I have no time for arrogance and believe a little humility goes a long way.'

She said she did not believe in politicking but at the same time did not want to hide her Labour principles: 'My guiding principles are democracy, fairness and giving service, whatever label is put on them.'

l Mebyon Kernow's Cllr Andrew Long was re-elected in the Callington ward, Conservative Cllr Jim Flashman was re-elected in St Dominick, Harrowbarrow and Kelly Bray ward and Independent Neil Burden in the Stoke Climsland ward.