Labour has retained control of a County Durham council ward following the death of a councillor. 

The party’s candidate June Clark was elected in the Horden ward following a by-election on Thursday, May 2. 

Ms Clark received 852 votes compared to Robert Fishwick, of The North East Party, who received 180 votes. Conservative candidate George Carter received 66 votes, while Liberal Democrat Neil Thompson received 20. 

Voter turnout for the by-election was 21.9%. 

It followed the death of Isabella Roberts earlier this year, who served the area since 2021. 

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Tributes were paid to the councillor for her dedicated service to the area and generosity earlier this year. 

Party leader cllr Carl Marshall said: “Isabella was a passionate and powerful voice for Horden, which she represented so impressively on the County Council, since her election success in 2021, and as a parish councillor too. She was so hardworking for her community and always had an ear to listen to other people’s troubles.

“Isabella’s kindness and desire to make County Durham a better place will be sorely missed at Labour group and council meetings. She was such a good friend to all of us.”