Liberal Democrats triumphed against Tories in Harrogate making their second council by-election gain in the borough since November 15 and their ninth nationwide.

Candidate Val Rodgers won at Bilton on a big swing. The result will be an encouragement for the party ahead of county council polls barely four months away.

Result: Harrogate Borough – Bilton: Lib Dem 623, C 395, Lab 208, UKIP 127. (May 2011 – C 976, Lib Dem 801, Lab 376). Lib Dem gain from C. Swing 12.4 per cent C to Lib Dem.