LABOUR'S Paul Warburton romped to victory in the by-election for Chapelford and Old Hall.

The election was called after Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid stood down following his shock General Election win in June.

Mr Warburton polled more than half the votes cast on Thursday, with the Conservatives edging the Liberal Democrats for second place.

But less than 20 per cent of people voted in the by-election, which cost the council around £17,000.

Mr Warburton won 957 votes, Conservative Phil Hayward 353 votes, Liberal Democrat Allan Bird 312 votes, UKIP's Ian Wilson 86 votes and the Green Party's Steph Davies 43 votes.

Nurse and university lecturer Mr Warburton said: "I'm really looking forward to my new role.

"It's been great talking to residents on the doorstep over the last few weeks and I've been listening carefully to their priorities for the area.

"Rebecca Knowles, Steve Parish and I work really well as a team and we are all committed to representing the residents of the ward in the best way possible."

He also received praise from Mr Rashid.

"Paul will be an excellent councillor for Chapelford and Old Hall and I couldn't have wished for a better candidate to be elected to take forward my work in the ward," he said.

"I wish him all the very best for the future and think he will really enjoy representing the area."

Cllr Steve Wright, chairman of Warrington South Constituency Labour Party, added: "It's clear Warrington residents are struggling with the Government's cruel austerity policies and the attack on public services.

"The strong support for Labour in Warrington shows that people are hopeful for real change in the country and a better deal for our town.

"Warrington South Labour Party is a hard working and united team focused on bringing about a very necessary change of Government, as well as ensuring that locally we are doing our best to look after the needs of the many, not the few.

"Be a part of that work and real change by joining the Labour Party today."

Labour's Sarah Williamson replaces Mr Rashid as the representative for the central ward of Great Sankey Parish Council after winning 751 votes, with Tory Mr Hayward coming second with 395 votes.

Turnout was 19 per cent.

Labour's Kenneth Halliday secured the seat for the south ward of Great Sankey Parish Council after winning 595 votes, with Conservative Mike Foxall coming second with 380 votes.

Turnout was 15 per cent.

Joseph Doherty, no party, and Tory Phil Marshall won the seats on Stretton Parish Council.

Mr Doherty secured 110 votes, Mr Marshall 97 votes and the Green Party's Lyndsay McAteer losing out with 50 votes.

Turnout was 18 per cent.