A GRANDMOTHER who has dedicated her life to community work has won a seat on Rossendale Council.

Labour's Christine Gill took the Cribden seat at the by-election on Thursday night, brought about after Liberal Democrat Philip Young stood down to take up a management post with Rochdale Council, thus preventing him from holding political office.

Christine, 57, who is married to Peter, a councillor for Hareholme ward and town crier, has joined Coun Janet Graham to represent the ward.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted. I decided to stand after seeing the work that Peter had done.

"We went and knocked on every door in the ward to introduce myself and I think that helped."

She polled 391 votes and beat off three other candidates, Kevin Bryan, British National Party, who got 89 votes, Conservative Helen Marsden with 186 and Liberal Democrat Bob Sheffield who got 312 votes. There was a 35 per cent turn out.

The council now has 24 Conservative, 10 Labour and two independent councillors.

Christine has lived in the Cribden ward for 27 years and has three daughters and seven grandchildren. They both regularly attend St James the Less Church, Rawtenstall, and Christine started the St James the Less playgroup 25 years ago, which is now a successful pre-school.

And she pledged to make the most of her new role.

"I would like to thank all the voters in Cribden. I have made a promise to listen and to do what I can to help. I am very community spirited and have the best interests of the area at heart," she added. Rossendale Labour MP Janet Anderson said: "This is a terrific result for the Labour Party in Rossendale.

"Our excellent local candidate, Christine Gill, not only forced the Liberal Democrats into second place, she also polled more than double the votes of the Conservative candidate.

"I know that Christine will work hard for the people of Cribden and listen to their concerns.

"I look forward to working with her."