BLACKPOOL'S Brunswick ward now has its own marriage councillors -- of the political variety that is.

Last Thursday's by-election (September 13) in the ward was won by Labour candidate Barry Cresswell, whose wife Maureen is the other Brunswick councillor.

Barry, aged 57, took on his new role from midnight last Thursday -- the day of the election -- after beating Liberal Democrat candidate Steven Bate into second place.

Tory candidate Andrew Stansfield came in third with Independents Kenneth Coups and Charles J Thomas fourth and fifth.

Coun Cresswell, who lives on Granville Road, Blackpool, had previously served as a Labour member for Warbreck ward but lost his seat to Tory candidate Tony Brown last year.

There was a 20 per cent turnout for the by-election, which was held following the death of Coun George Bancroft in July.

Coun Cresswell said that he was delighted to have been elected. "I'm ecstatic. I feel really great both for myself and the Labour Party. It's a great result to get 55 per cent of the votes in a five-way split."

He said that he was thrilled to be working alongside his wife on the ward. "We get on very well. Our beliefs and ideas are very similar. I live in the ward and I've been involved in the ward for a number of years because I've been the house-husband while my wife worked, and I helped her out with her ward work."

ELECTION RESULT

Barry Cresswell (Lab)...515

Steven Bate (Lib Dem)... 255

Andrew C Stansfield (Con)... 135

Kenneth Coups (First Alliance)... 38

Charles J Thomas (Independent)... 20