THE Liberal Democrats regained their position as the largest party political group on West Devon Borough Council last Thursday when they took a Tory-held seat in a by-election.
It was the first by-election defeat for the Tories since the last round of borough elections in 1999.
Mrs Vigni, of Princetown, said she was delighted: 'I'm looking forward to my new role and I am thrilled to be representing the higher moorland of Dartmoor.
'Lydford is a demanding ward to represent because it contains three very different communities, the two villages of Lydford and Princetown and the rural areas of Dartmoor Forest.
'I am determined to represent the views and aspirations of all three areas at West Devon.'
The ward is one of the largest in the borough. Turnout at the by-election was just over 36%.
The result means the political make-up of the 30-member council is now: Liberal Democrats nine seats, Conservatives eight seats, Independents thirteen.
The by-election was called following the resignation of Conservative Diana Moyse.