LABOUR has won the crucial City of York Council by-election.

Barbara Boyce was elected to represent Heworth on the authority with 876 votes, with Liberal Democrat Jennifer Ayre coming second on 608.

Conservative Andrew Whitney came third with 591. The results were announced a short while ago at Tang Hall Primary School in Sixth Avenue.

Coun Boyce said: "I am so touched that the people of Heworth would put their faith in me to represent them."

She said her first aim would be to listen to local residents and to get to know what their needs and priorities are.

Turnout for the poll was 26.6 per cent. The by-election followed the resignation in July of Labour's Paul Blanchard.

The full results were: Jennifer Ayre (Lib Dem): 608.

Barbara Boyce (Labour): 876.

Denise Craghill (Green): 302.

Jeff Kelly (BNP): 172.

Eddie Vee (Monster Raving Loony): 25.

Andrew Whitney (Conservative): 591.

* Visit thepress.co.uk and see Saturday's edition of The Press for full reaction to the by-election.