LABOUR'S John O'Brien is the new Hope Carr ward councillor on Wigan Council, following yesterday's by-election.

Mr O'Brien polled 2,569 votes, ahead of Peter Hough (Lib Dem) 1,887, James Grundy (Conservative) 1,002 and Keith Fry (Socialist Alliance) 82.

Mr O'Brien now joins Labour colleagues Councillors Kevin Anderson and Mrs Ann Turnock in Hope Carr.

And the risk management group member promised to work towards reducing youth problems in the area.

He said: "I will not promise to do anything I cannot achieve but I will work to reduce people's perception of fear from the youth in the area. I fully support the police, housing authority and all associations -- working together with results."

Percentage turnout 53.4%

Votes 35,432