A FIVE-way race to secure a seat on Bradford Council for Queensbury ward has been retaken by the Conservative Party with candidate Andrew Senior attracting more than half the overall votes cast.
Residents went to the polls yesterday for the by-election triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Lisa Carmody earlier in the year.
It means the Council's composition remains unchanged, with the controlling Labour group on 49 seats and the opposition onservatives on 21.
Councillor Senior gained 2,175 votes, a majority of 1,443 over nearest rival Jason Smith, who ran for the Independents and took 732 of the votes.
In third position was Labour candidate Mobeen Hussain with 697 votes, fourth was Eithne Dodwell, of the Green Party and fifth was Mary Whitrick of the Liberal Democrats.
Speaking after his win Cllr Senior said: "I'm tremendously proud of the people of Queensbury for voting for me. The journey has been amazing but I suppose the hard work starts now.
"I was nervous at the start but I am always quite optimistic and felt I would do well."
Cllr Senior said he did not have a plan yet of how he was going to work in the ward.
"I need to find my feet and listen to the people of Queensbury to see what's important to them.
"I have had a great response from people and lots of help from family, friends and fellow Conservatives. I want to do a great job and don't want to let anyone down.
"It has been an amazing day and I will probably call in at Sunbridgewells and have a pint before I go home."
Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe congratulated Cllr Senior on his success.
"I want to congratulate the winning candidate. It has been a good campaign and I am proud our own candidate in Mobeen Hussain did so well. He made a lot of friends during his campaign," she said.
The turnout for the Queensbury by-election was 31.8 per cent.
In the town council elections in Baildon South East Cllrs Christine Flecknoe (173 votes) and Matthew Ward (223 votes) were elected.
The other candidates were David Robertshaw (124) and Karen Reddy (117).