Goldie Lookin' Chain's Rhys Hutchings' Newport Labour councillor win

A member of comedy rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain (GLC) has become a councillor in his home city.

Rhys Hutchings, a full-time member of the band, stood as Labour candidate in Newport's St Julians ward.

Labour has won a majority in the city, but he gained one of three seats in the St Julians ward with 981 votes after a recount on Friday.

The 36-year-old has said he hopes his profile will benefit politics in the city.

He formed GLC in 2000, and their hits have included Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do, which reached number three in the UK charts.

The group are known for their tongue-in-cheek take on life in south Wales in general, and Newport in particular.

The rapper, who grew up in Newport suburb of Allt-yr-Yn, has said he hopes to use his place in the band to benefit the city.

He told BBC Wales that he became interested in becoming a councillor when he helped former Newport mayor Bill Langsford at fundraising events in 2010.

He said: "It just opened my eyes to the fact that we can make a difference, people can run for council, get in and make a difference.

"If you want to make a difference for the town that you love and care about, get involved.

"I realised that it was something that was an option. I went for it and here we are.

"The other boys in the band are coming round to the idea of politics - I'm going to try and get them all involved - but we'll see how that turns out."

Two others were also elected - fellow Labour candidate Emma Garland with 1,020 votes and Liberal Democrat candidate Ed Townsend got in with 958 votes, just one vote more than the third Labour candidate Joshua Worrad

Labour has won 28 seats in Newport on Friday, securing a majority and improving on their 2008 total of 22 seats.