A councillor has dedicated her by-election win to a former mayor and Labour stalwart.

Diane Fielding won the Spring Hill by-election on July 9 with 51 per cent of the vote and dedicated the win to Pam Barton, who previously sat in the seat until she passed away in May.

Councillor Fielding said: “I am very excited and relieved to have won.

“I have been chair of various community groups for over ten years and have had plenty of well-wishers along the campaign.”

She added: “The one which means most of all is the text I got from Pam Barton’s daughter.

“It means more than she will ever know. I’m glad to have done it for Pam.”

Mohammad Safdar stood for the Conservatives and received 475 votes, Ken Smith for the UK Independence Party received 137 votes and Kerry Gormley for the Greens received 17 votes.

Turnout was 37 per cent, down by more than 10 per cent on the 2014 ward election.

The result sees Labour increase their presence on Hyndburn council to 25 councillors, with the Conservatives remaining on eight and UKIP on two.