THE Liberal Democrats are celebrating a by-election victory in the North-East.

Their candidate regained Belmont ward on Durham City Council in a contest forced when the sitting councillor resigned from the party to fight as an independent.

Former shop owner Kathleen Atkinson quit the council's ruling Liberal Democrat party in a row over what she said was the exclusion of opposition members from a board which was examining regeneration.

Mrs Atkinson, who had represented the ward for two years, resigned her seat and forced a by-election in which she stood against Liberal Democrat candidate Arthur Clifford Walker on an Independent ticket.

However, Mr Walker regained the seat for the Liberal Democrats with a comfortable 120-vote majority in Thursday's by-election.

Mrs Atkinson also failed to regain her seat on Belmont Parish Council in a by-election for the authority held at the same time, with the Liberal Democrats taking both seats.

Mrs Atkinson highlighted what she described as the appalling turnout of just over 26 per cent and the difficulties of fighting as an independent candidate.

She said: "I have to admit I am disappointed. I enjoyed being a councillor but I resigned for good reasons.

"I gave it my best shot in the election but people in the end have decided on the councillor they wanted and I can't argue with that."

The newly-elected Coun Walker could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

A further by-election for Durham City Council is expected early in the New Year when voters in Newton Hall will decide on the candidate to fill the post which fell vacant with the death last month of deputy mayor George Hunter.

RESULTS

(*denotes elected)

Durham City Council, Belmont Ward, (one seat): Kathleen Atkinson (Independent), 244; Paula Bridget Carr (Labour), 119; Daniel James Hayward (Conservative), 63; *Arthur Clifford Walker (Liberal Democrat), 364. Turnout 799 (26.44%).

Belmont Parish Council, Belmont Ward, (two seats): Kathleen Atkinson (Independent), 316; Paula Bridget Carr (Labour), 139; Roderic James Johnston (Labour), 125; * Rachel Rivers Porter (Liberal Democrat), 425; * Arthur Clifford Walker (Liberal Democrat), 469.