LABOUR'S Andy McDonald won a resounding victory in the Middlesbrough by-election this morning.

He secured 10,201 votes, ahead of UKIP candidate Richard Elvin in second with 1,990 and Liberal Democrat George Selmer with 1,672.

Conservative candidate Ben Houchen came fourth with 1,063 votes, only three ahead of Imdad Hussain for the Peace Party.

The BNP's Peter Foreman won 328 votes ahead of John Malcolm for the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition with 277 and independent Mark Heslehurst with 275.

The turnout was just 25 per cent – less than half the number who voted in the 2010 general election.

In his victory speech, Mr McDonald said: "I feel so proud to represent the town I was born and brought up in.

"I promise to fight for all of the people who live here. The people of the town have spoken.

"Tonight we have a new voice in Westminster and I shall make it loud and clear."

Labour's majority of 48.68 per cent was well up on the 26 per cent margin recorded in 2010 by Sir Stuart Bell, whose death triggered the contest.