Labour has won the Town ward by-election in Newcastle-under-Lyme, with Andrew Fox-Hewitt securing 431 votes.

Despite losing the seat, controlling group Reform UK still holds more than half the 44 seats on the council.

The election was called following the resignation of Christine Duffy, who was elected in May this year.

Her initial attempt to resign on 4 August was unsuccessful because she sent her resignation letter to the wrong council. She officially resigned from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council on 20 August.

In a statement, she said: "It is with deep regret that I have formally resigned, with immediate effect, as the Newcastle-under-Lyme borough councillor for Town ward.

"This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but recent events have taken a significant toll on my health and wellbeing. I have therefore reached the difficult conclusion that I must now put my health first."

Votes were counted at Castle House after polls closed.

In total, five candidates were up for election, including former Labour councillor Andrew Fox-Hewitt and current Reform UK county councillor Adam Griffiths.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

Despite losing the ward, Reform UK retains its majority on the council. The results mean that Reform UK now holds 26 of the council's 44 seats, with the Conservatives on 15 and Labour on three.

Newly elected councillor Andrew Fox-Hewitt spoke about improving the gateway into the town centre, tackling rough sleeping, restoring pride into the town centre and tackling houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

He said: "I'm going to call a big community forum together with the police, the police fire and crime commissioner, probation, charities and outreach.

"All of those partners and say the town centre has got to be made safe and clean again.

"We can't possibly have regeneration and pride if people don't feel safe and they haven't got pride in the town centre. Alongside HMOs which are a big concern for people."

The results in full:

• Conna Douglas Eynon, Conservative Party: 110
• Andrew Fox-Hewitt, Labour and Co-operative Party: 431 (ELECTED)
• Adam Griffiths, Reform UK: 249
• Morgan Inwood, Liberal Democrats: 27
• Mark Allan Jones, Green Party: 115