LABOUR have won the Lewisham Council Whitefoot ward by-election from the Liberal Democrats.

Mark Ingelby was elected with 924 votes, beating Lib Dem candidate Janet Hurst, who polled 646, into second place.

The Conservatives' Simon Nundy bagged 258 votes while John Hamilton, standing for People Before Profit got 241.

Of the 9,982 people eligible to vote, just 2,213 did - a turnout of 22.2 per cent.

A seat in the ward, which covers parts of the BR1 and SE6 postcodes, became vacant after Pete Pattisson stood down to take up a teaching position in India.

The Lewisham Labour victory is their first by-election win against the Lib Dems since 1995.

Cllr Ingleby said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been elected for Whitefoot.  I want to thank all the people who supported me, on the campaign and at the polling stations. 

"It is a tremendous honour and I will fight tirelessly for the key services my ward holds dear against these dreadful cuts from the national government."

The result means Labour now has 42 members on the council, with only 13 representing other parties.

To see the full result visit the Lewisham Council website.