LABOUR held on to a Barrow Borough Council seat by winning a by-election. 

Michael Cassells won the vacant Risedale seat on Barrow Borough Council for Labour with 428 votes at the Barrow Town Hall count on Thursday night. 

UKIP’s Colin John Rudd received 193 votes and Conservative Carole Laverne got 187 votes. 

Returning officer Jon Huck, of Barrow Borough Council, said it was disappointing that the turnout was just 18.19 per cent. 

Mr Cassells said: “I spent a lot of my childhood in Risedale. It was important to me to campaign on Broadway and Longway because that’s where my Mam grew up, my grandparents, and my great granddad lived on Thrums Street. I have let people know that Mrs Mac’s grandson wants to be the councillor. 

“I have been saying to people ‘tell me what worries you in this ward and 'what do I need to know’. That has been my approach and that continues. “The fact that it is a low turnout takes the edge off because we have had three candidates who have all been very committed to doing community work and getting involved. All three of us tried to express our interest in the community.” 

The Risedale seat became following the resignation of Labour’s Lesley Graham. Mrs Graham won the seat during the full council election in May, but she stepped aside due to work commitments. 

Labour already hold a strong majority on Barrow Borough Council.