THE Conservative candidate has become the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.

Mark Shelford, who was an army officer for 30 years, was elected as PCC yesterday (May 7) with 161,319 votes.

"A huge responsibility has been placed on my shoulders and I am very humbled that local people have given me their votes," said Mr Shelford.

"I absolutely relish the chance to get stuck in and make a difference in Avon and Somerset."

Mr Shelford was former deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Before the election, he said his main goal would be to "prevent crime before it happens".

During the election, he was up against four other candidates: John Smith (Independent); Cleo Lake (Green Party); Heather Shearer (Liberal Democrats) and Kerry Barker (Labour Party).

READ MORE: Candidates for Avon and Somerset PCC elections 2021

He will take the place of Sue Mountstevens who has held the position since 2012.

In January 2019, she announced she would not seek re-election for a second time.