A DISPUTE over a local election result has been settled following an inspection of ballot papers.

An examination of ballot papers took place in Darlington Town Hallon Wednesday after it emerged that some postal votes cast in the Hurworth ward may not have been included in the local election count earlier this month.

An initial investigation suggested around 500 postal votes were verified and checked to make sure they were in order, but were not included in the final count.

Permission to legally re-open the sealed ballot papers was granted by Judge Michael Taylor at a short hearing at Middlesbrough County Court earlier today (Wednesday, May 20).

The inspection found that the declared result, which saw Conservative Lorraine Tostevin and Liberal Democrat Joe Kelley elected into the ward’s two seats, would not change.

Cllr Tostevin again topped the poll with 875 votes, increasing her majority from 71 to 116 votes, while Cllr Kelley came second with 759 votes, and his wife, Claire, in third with 622 votes.

Speaking after the count, Cllr Tostevin said: “I am absolutely delighted and I would like to thank the people of Hurworth for all their votes.

“I am looking forward to working with everybody as an elected councillor.”

Her agent, Charles Johnson, Chairman of South Durham Conservatives, added: “We followed the democratic process to make sure the electorate were properly represented.

“It was fair and reasonable and it subsequently proved to be correct. We have also increased our majority.”

The result also means that a potentially costly election petition is not needed.

An election petition could have been lodged by a challenger to set aside the declared result if the result had changed following the inspection.

Cllr Kelley said: “I feel absolutely relieved that it has been done. The (previous) result was wrong, the figures were wrong.

“I am glad it is all over and that we do not need to have an election petition. It has been exciting but very stressful.

“I would like to thank the people of Hurworth for making me their councillor but I am sorry that Claire won’t be by my side.”

Mrs Kelley said she had enjoyed meeting the people of Hurworth while canvassing with her husband.

Chief executive of Darlington Borough Council, Ada Burns, apologised for the error and said: “Clearly I regret that we found ourselves in this position, but I am very pleased that today we have been able to run a process that satisfies all of the candidates.

“I am hoping now we can move on.”