LABOUR were victorious in a Cheshire West and Chester Council by-election.

The party reinforced its majority by re-taking the one-member Wolverham ward in Ellesmere Port and now has 37 seats on the 70-seat council.

The by-election last Thursday followed the resignation of Labour councillor Michael Edwardson on health grounds.

His successor as Labour candidate, John Stockton, was a clear winner, taking 70 per cent of all the votes cast in the ward which takes in Wolverham and neighbouring Stanney Grange.

There were six candidates on the ballot paper and 833 votes were cast.

After the result was announced following the count at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Stanney Lane, new councillor Stockton said: “May I just say a huge thank you from me to you all for showing your trust in me to be a candidate and to follow Michael.”

To Labour Party workers who helped him in a campaign lasting just over a month, Cllr Stockton said: “You have all, quite simply, been magnificent and I look forward to working with you.”

John Stockton was immediately inducted onto the council and signed the relevant paperwork.

Result:

John Stockton (Labour) 576 (elected)

Katie Grannell (Green) 73

Jonathan Starkey (Independent) 64

Sally Ann James (Party of Women) 42

Elizabeth Jewkes (Lib Dem) 35

Luke James Sharples (Con) 31.

Majority: 503

Turnout: 22.8 per cent