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The Conservatives have won a by-election in Newport for a vacant city council seat.

Their candidate Nicholas Portman – known locally as Nick Baneswell – won 597 votes and finished comfortably ahead of his nearest rival, who was from Reform.

Ahead of polling day, the veteran pub landlord said he was “not a career politician and comes into this from real conversations with people in the area”.

He added he was “focused on the issues that matter” – such as roads, fly-tipping, council tax rates and local services – and would “speak up for residents, challenge decisions when needed, and make sure things actually get done”.

Cllr Portman will replace Chris Reeks, the Conservative representative who stood down in March for personal reasons.

The Rogerstone North by-election results in full:

Nick Portman, Welsh Conservatives – 597

Kevin Preston, Reform – 402

Iestyn Davies, Plaid Cymru – 287

Jonathan Gibbons, Welsh Labour – 204

Stewart Jones, Wales Green Party – 108

John Miller, Liberal Democrats – 57

The turnout was 69.7%