JULIAN Sturdy stormed to victory in the new York Outer seat - and immediately pledged to tackle three big issues.

The Conservative victor in the hotly-contested constituency says he intends to fight to protect the Green Belt, deal with problems facing local infrastructure and address concerns about the NHS, particularly the decision to withdraw injections for people with back problems.

He also says he will concentrate on crucial issues raised on the doorstep during his election campaign, including problems with the Outer Ring Road and bus and rail services.

Despite York Outer being tipped as a close-fought race between the Tories and the Liberal Democrats, Mr Sturdy claimed a majority of almost 3,700 over his Lib Dem rival Madeleine Kirk.

“I thank the people of York - I will not let them down,” he said.

His wife Victoria said: "I'm absolutely delighted because Julian has worked so hard for the last four years and has sacrificed an awful lot, so he thoroughly deserves this."

* For full reaction from the York Outer election outcome, see The Press on Saturday.