Tories triumph in three-way marginal

Relieved Tories defended a knife-edge three-party marginal seat at Broxtowe Borough, Nottinghamshire, in the latest council by-elections.

They held on at Cossall and Kimberley ward where Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats each have a councillor.

In May's general election, Tories took Broxtowe's parliamentary constituency by just 389 votes.

In the only other by-election reported this week Tories easily defended a Christchurch Cockermouth seat at Allerdale Borough, Cumbria.

RESULTS:

Allerdale Borough - Christchurch Cockermouth: C 466, Lib Dem 131, Green 108. (May 2007 - Two seats C 673, 571, Lab 360, 320). C hold.

Broxtowe Borough - Cossall and Kimberley: C 757, Lab 731, Lib Dem 524. (May 2007 - Three seats Lab 840, Lib Dem 749, C 739, 691, Lab 669, 669, C 663, Lib Dem 584, 488, BNP 232). C hold. Swing 1.3% Lab to C.