THE Labour Party has pegged back one seat on Swindon Council after a by-election victory.

Peter Mallinson beat the Conservatives by 120 votes in the Walcot poll, sparked by the resignation of Tory Laura Holiday.

The Lib Dems came third while there was a poor showing for the UK Independence Party in an unexpectedly high turnout of about 34 per cent.

Labour leader David Nash said it was a fantastic result and would be the first of many Labour victories.

"What it indicates most to me is that the people of Walcot have recognised two things," he said.

"Firstly, that Labour's vision for the town draws a line under the past and sets out a new vision for the future.

"Secondly, when faced with the choice between a small council tax but a massive slashing to their services, they reject that narrow-minded approach to council finances.

"It is a good night for Walcot and a good night for Labour."

But council leader Coun Mike Bawden denied the result was linked to his administration's proposed cuts and pointed out that it was traditionally a Labour seat.

He said: "The message is quite simple in that the Labour Party was very successful at getting the vote out in traditional estates.

"We were very successful at getting the vote out in Old Walcot where there was terrific support for our policy of three per cent council tax."

Conservative candidate Andrew James backed this view but was disappointed with the result.

"We were hopeful when we were going round Walcot canvassing," he said.

"It is a traditional Labour seat so we were out to hold on to something that we felt fortunate to get.

"But the policy that we had worked I don't think we lost any voters. The council tax issue went down well, it was a favourite."

He said he hoped to stand as a candidate again in the future.

Third place Nicky Sewell, the Liberal Democrat candidate, said the Lib Dems were the only party to increase their share of the vote at the election.

"That shows a lack of confidence in the two main parties," she said.

"It is only the beginning for Liberal Democrats in Swindon. Coming from nowhere it is a fantastic result."

Independent Tony Hillier came in fourth with 106 votes while Green Party candidate Simon Smith polled 60.

Michael Morton's total of 43 votes as UKIP candidate was greeted with laughter by a few of the activists gathered for the result at the Civic Offices late last night.

The result

Tony Hillier, Independent: 106

Andrew James, Conservative: 586

Peter Mallinson, Labour: 706

Michael Morton, UK Independence Party: 43

Nicky Sewell, Liberal Democrats: 338

Simon Smith, Green Party: 60

'It will be about listening to the people'

WALCOT'S new representative has promised to go out and listen to residents' concerns.

Peter Mallinson, 69, pictured, said: "The first thing I intend to do over the next 12 months is meet as many people as possible in Walcot.

"I have by own ideas about what should be done but they might not be the same as their ideas and that is what matters."

He said he would pursue issues such as anti-social behaviour and litter, which he campaigned on.

"But I don't want to say this is that I want to do," he said. "It will be about listening to the people."

He also thanked Walcot voters for electing him and promised to work for their benefit.

"I am pleased that the people of Walcot have chosen me," he said. "We have turned a Conservative seat back into a Labour seat.

"We played a fair campaign, we didn't do anything nasty, and I think that pays off in the end. People just want to know you are a worker. I, like everybody else in the country, don't like paying taxes but they are inevitable and I just want to see them used properly and for the benefit of the people of Walcot."

Isabel Field