GEORGE Beckett, one of Winchester's most colourful political characters, has returned to politics.

The rock 'n' roll band member has won a place again on Compton and Shawford Parish Council in a by-election. He has not ruled out running for the city council.

Southampton-raised Mr Beckett, the former Tory leader on the city council, polled 271 votes to beat John Vallis, who got 130.

Mr Beckett, 49, no longer a member of the Conservative Party, said: "Compton and Shawford has been subject to recent ructions over the proposed sports pavilion. When the vacancy arose a number of people said they thought I could calm things down, so I stood.

"I hope to be able to contribute in such a way that the council won't be as divided. A number of people thought the council was run better in my day and thought I ought to return.

"I have no specific plans to stand for the city council but if certain people were to stand I don't rule anything out."

His shock departure from politics in 1996 was sparked when a weekly newspaper publicised an anonymous smear campaign that highlighted temporary financial problems at his garden nursery business.

"After my sudden fall from grace I was reluctant to put my head above the parapet. Small businesses do have problems. But I was ashamed when my temporary difficulties were made public. Someone saw fit to make my life tough. I know who it was, but I am not going to tell you because I can't prove it."

He had earlier served as chairman of Compton and Shawford Parish Council and was a leading opponent of the M3 extension through Twyford Down in the late 1980s.

Mr Beckett, at one time on the Tory Party's candidates list, was considered a formidable opponent by the ruling Liberal Democrats on the city council.

* The hefty 34 per cent turnout at Compton and Shawford contrasts sharply with the nine per cent at the recent by-elections for Alresford Town Council.