Labour has won the St Helen's by-election taking three quarters of the vote.

 

Dave Leech, of Raven Royd, Athersley, has been elected councillor. He replaces Labour's Roy Butterwood, who resigned due to work commitments.

 

The BNP candidate Danny Cooke came second.

 

Mr Leech won 75 per cent of the vote. Turnout was 20.5 per cent.

 

articlempu1

Following the result declaration, he told the Chronicle: "I'm delighted with the result. I'd like to thank the people of St Helens for the faith they've put in me. I'd also like to thank my team, the staff at the count and the police who've attended.

 

"I'm looking forward to getting to work as a councillor, representing the people of this ward to the best of my ability."

articlempu2

 

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis has been out campaigning with Dave over the last few weeks. He said: "Dave's been a first-class local candidate. It's been a pleasure working with him and I know he'll be an excellent councillor."

 

articlempu3

 

Full results were as follows:

 

1: Dave Leech, Raven Royd, Athersley, Labour Party: 1,257, 75.1 per cent

 

2: Danny Cooke, Highstone Road, Barnsley, BNP: 174, 10.5 per cent

 

3:Kevin Riddiough, Sale Street, Hoyland Common, English Democrats: 146, 8.8 per cent

 

4: Clive Watkinson, Doncaster Road, Barnsley, Conservatives: 61, 3.7 per cent

 

5: Edward Alan Gouthwaite, Winter Avenue, Royston, of no party or group: 21, 1.3 per cent

 

Total votes cast 1,662, including three spoiled papers. Turnout: 20.53 per cent.