A BY-ELECTION was held in Middlesbrough on Thursday.

The North Ormesby ward held a by-election following the resignation of Independent Councillor Ashley Waters.

The results were as follows:

Labour candidate Nicky Gascoigne was elected to Middlesbrough Council with 172 votes.

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The full results were: Nicky Gascoigne (Labour) 172 - 74.4% (Elected).

Mark Horkan (Independent) 32 - 13.9%.

Val Beadnall (Conservative) 20 - 8.7%.

Ian Jones (Liberal Democrats) 7 - 3%.

One ballot paper was rejected.

The 231 votes cast represented a 13.3% turnout from an electorate of 1,750.

Cllr Gascoigne is a community activist who recently graduated from Teesside University.

She works for a charity that helps people overcome barriers into employment,

She previously said that she wanted to protect green spaces and preserving local buildings.

Matt Storey, Leader of the Middlesbrough Labour Group, said: ""This was a great result for Labour in Middlesbrough. Nicky is an amazing candidate and will be a fantastic local champion for North Ormesby.

"She lives in North Ormesby, is passionate about her community and will stand up for her ward in the Town Hall and in her neighbourhood. The margin of victory was particularly pleasing and this is a great platform for us to build on in future."

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