THE British National Party (BNP) came within 100 votes of defeating Labour in a North-East by-election tonight.

The extreme right wing party was in contention for Great Aycliffe Town Council's Simpasture ward after Labour's Margaret Atkinson resigned citing work commitments.

The BNP was hoping the popularity of its candidate, market trader, 'Honest' John Hilton, could see them take the seat.

However, Labour's Malcolm Iveson, a former Sedgefield Borough Councillor and Great Aycliffe Town Councillor, polled 251 votes, to Mr Hilton's 154.

Independent, Lilleen Cuthbertson, who currently sits on Sedgefield Borough Council, came third with 143 votes.

"I am relieved, it has been a hard fight," said Coun Iveson afterwards. "But we have had a cracking team and they all really worked hard.

"The BNP put up a strong fight, but we put up a stronger one. We were organised and we fought it across the party, from the top to the bottom."

Labour had taken the threat of the BNP seriously, with Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, canvassing in the ward when nationally many of his parliamentary colleagues where rallying supporters for the East Glasgow by-election, also last night.

Defeated, but unbowed, Mr Hilton said: "That was just the start of it in Newton Aycliffe. We did well in the East Ward on May 1 for the unitary authority and we have gained a few members out canvassing."

Mrs Cuthbertson's defeat is a blow for the Independents, who in the last local election won 15 of Great Aycliffe Town Councils 30 seats.