LABOUR has strengthened its position on Ulverston Town Council after a resounding by-election victory.

Last night shortly after 10pm Bob Brown was elected as the newest member of the town council serving the town ward.

The 65-year-old local Labour Party member was elected with 68 per cent of the vote, beating Conservative candidate Margaret Hornby by 294 votes to 135.

Speaking to The Mail after his victory, Councillor Brown said he was "humbled" by the result.

"I'm feeling very happy and very pleased, thanks to all the residents of the town ward for their faith in me. People use the words 'humbled by this', but I really am. I'm really humbled that so many people put their faith in me," he said.

Mr Brown is ready to hit the ground running, saying potholes and on-street parking issues are top of his agenda.

He said: "It's very difficult as the council have a lot of control, but we will keep fighting."

He concluded: "My thanks to all the residents who turned out to vote, it was a miserable day.

"I will serve everyone in the ward, regardless of how they voted."

Cllr Brown's first town council meeting will take place on Monday September 18.

Read more:

Find out what the candidates had to say in the run up to this by-election

John Clough's resignation from the council in June prompted this election - find out why he chose to step down