A Walleys Quarry campaigner has become Newcastle's newest councillor following her by-election win.

Labour's Sheelagh Casey-Hulme retained the Town ward seat on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council for her party in Thursday's by-election.

She received 309 votes, ahead of Conservative Elliott Lancaster, who got 226. Neill Walker, of Reform, got 168 votes while Lib Dem Nigel Jones received 71. The by-election was called following the resignation of previous Labour councillor Wendy Brockie.

Ms Casey-Hulme, of Westbury Park, has been an active member of the Stop the Stink campaign, and it was the fight against Walleys Quarry landfill site which led her into becoming more involved in local politics. Walleys Quarry was recently issued with a closure notice by the Environment Agency, which it is appealing against.

Ms Casey-Hulme, of Westbury Park, has been an active member of the Stop the Stink campaign (LDRS).

Following her election win, Ms Casey-Hulme vowed to continue fighting for residents on Walleys Quarry and other local issues. She said: "I've always been a Labour member but I was never active in politics until the Walleys Quarry campaign. I've been a member of the Stop the Stink campaign and gave evidence to the community inquiry.

"Walleys Quarry will still be a priority for me, but I also want to help local residents with the other issues that came up on the door step. I want to be a hands-on councillor. Like with potholes – I know that isn't a borough council responsibility but I want to help residents get problems like that sorted out."

Opposition Labour group leader Dave Jones welcomed Ms Casey-Hulme's win. He said: "There's been a lot of talk about the Labour Party nationally, but this by-election shows that Labour voters in Newcastle are to come out and support the party. People are responding to our positive message after 14 years of devastating Tory rule."

Labour's win in the Town ward by-election leaves the party with 18 seats. The Conservatives remain in control of the borough council with 25 seats.

Town ward by-election full results:

• Sheelagh Casey-Hulme, LAB: 309
• Nigel Jones, LIB DEM: 71
• Elliott Lancaster, CON: 226
• Neill Walker, REFORM: 168
• Turnout: 18.7 per cent

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