LABOUR had a convincing win in the by-election for the Ellesmere Port Town ward.

Former borough councillor Lynn Clare was returned with a 584-vote majority over her nearest rival, Conservative John Pritchard, and attracted 70% of the vote.

The by-election was called following the death of Labour leader Derek Bateman earlier this year.

Born in Ellesmere Port, Cllr Clare became interested in politics during the firemen’s strike in Scotland in the 1970s and has been a Labour Party member since that time.

She worked for Ellesmere Port’s MP, Andrew Miller, from 1992-1997, during which time she set up the charity Parents Against Drug Abuse (PADA) to support the parents and carers of young people misusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Chief executive of the charity for many years, she helped to improve the lives of countless people in the local area. In 2005 she was made an MBE for her services to the community and charity.

Cllr Clare was first elected to represent the Town ward on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s shadow authority but did not seek re-election last May.

She said: “I am delighted to have been returned to the council and look forward to serving the residents of Ellesmere Port Town ward.”

The current composition of Cheshire West and Chester Council is: Conservative 42, Labour 32, Liberal Democrats 1.