LABOUR'S Mary Hume has won the Kilwinning by-election for North Ayrshire Council.

The former head teacher has won the seat formerly held by the Conservative's John Glover who passed away earlier this year.

The election was held on Thursday, May 9, with votes counted at the Netherthird Community Centre on Friday, May 10.

Mrs Hume won the seat after receiving a total of 2,171 first preference votes and was elected at the first stage of the count.

She finished ahead of the SNP's Sheila Gibson, with 916 first preference votes, while Chris Lawler for the Conservatives took 619.

Liberal Democrat Ruby Kirkwood was fourth with 154 first preference votes, while Ian Charles Gibson, representing the Scottish Family Party, got 136.

Mrs Hume now becomes the third Labour councillor for the ward joining current elected members Donald Reid and Joe Cullinane.

The remaining Kilwinning seat is held by the SNP's Scott Davidson.

Mrs Hume's win also increases the number of North Ayrshire Council seats held by Labour to 10, taking them ahead of the Conservatives and meaning they are set to be named the official opposition to the local authority's SNP minority administration - though that is still subject to a formal vote among councillors.

A total of 3,996 votes were cast, making a turnout of 29.5 per cent - with Ms Hume's first preference votes representing 54 per cent of all the votes cast.

Turnout was down from the figure of 5,553 (42.2 per cent) who voted in the ward at the last local authority elections in May 2022.