The Liberal Democrats have won the city council by-election in Drypool.

Lib Dem candidate Linda Chambers polled 1,306 votes to secure the seat vacated by Conservative Andy Sloan who resigned before Christmas because of work commitments.

Labour's Gary Wareing finished second with 891 votes while the National Front's Mike Cooper came third on 184 votes. Conservative Andrew Allison polled 117 votes. The turnout was 26.7 per cent.

The result increases the overall Lib Dem majority at the Guildhall to 15.

Lid Dem leader Carl Minns said: "I am very pleased because it shows the public are still backing the way we are trying to reform the council."