A BY-ELECTION has been declared null and void after the winning candidate ruled himself ineligible for the seat hours after the polls opened.

Blackburn with Darwen returning officer Harry Catherall read out the numbers of votes cast in the Highercroft vote on Thursday with the Labour candidate Adam Holden topping the poll over Conservative and UKIP candidates.

MORE TOP STORIES:

However, he immediately declared the election null and void after revealing Mr Holden had disqualified himself due to the nature of his employment being linked to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Read the full story in tomorrow’s Lancashire Telegraph.