LABOUR'S candidate romped to victory in yesterday's Bellingham by-election.

Jacq Paschoud won with 1,100 votes - a 51.3 per cent share of the overall vote.

The Conservatives' Simon Nundy finished second with 340 votes while the Lib Dems were beaten into third place, getting 334 votes for candidate Jenni Steele.

There was a turnout of just 22 per cent for the by-election, triggered by the death of former council leader Cllr Ron Stockbridge.

Mrs Paschoud said: "It’s an honour to be elected to represent the people of Bellingham.

"The message we have been hearing loud and clear from people on the doorstep is that they are opposed to the savage cuts imposed by the Tory and Lib-Dem government."

The 55-year-old mother-of-four will now join her husband, ward councillor for Perry Vale Cllr John Paschoud, on Lewisham Council.