LABOUR yesterday celebrated holding on to Mill Hill in a council by-election with an increased share of the vote.

Former councillor Carl Nuttall bounced back from his May defeat in neighbouring Meadowhead ward as Ukip pushed the Conservative candidate into third.

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The by-election was caused by sitting Labour councillor Carol Walsh resigning last month for ‘personal reasons’.

Cllr Nuttall got 505 votes to Ukip candidate Michael Longbottom’s 179 on a turn out of just 22 per cent, down on May 7’s 51.59 per cent.

Conservative Anne Marie Tolley got 106 votes with Liberal Democrat Alan Dean trailing in last with just 69.

Coun Nuttall said: “I’m really happy to be back on the council and representing the area where I have lived all my life.

“I am delighted that for the second time in two months the people of MIll Hill came out and voted emphatically for the Labour Party.”

Fellow Mill Hill councillor, and constituency secretary to Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern, Damian Talbot said: “ The result shows that the people of Mill Hill have confidence in the Labour Party.”

Blackburn Ukip branch secretary and former Labour mayor Michael Madigan said: “It was a bad result for all parties with such a low turnout.

“Ukip maintained its performance in the May local and general elections.

“We definitely have something to build on .”

Blackburn with Darwen council Tory group leader Mike Lee said: “ I don’t think Ukip coming second was unexpected.

“In 1992 Mill Hill elected a BNP councillor.”