IT was a night of mixed fortunes for political parties in Darlington last night as by-elections in two wards saw wins for the Liberal Democrats and Tories, and a loss for Labour.

The Lib Dems regained the vacant seat in Hurworth, while the Conservative party took the seat vacated by shamed former-Labour councillor Mark Burton.

Martin Swainston, the Lib Dem who was discharged from the council after failing to attend meetings, said he felt ‘vindicated’ after he regained his seat in Hurworth.

In Harrowgate Hill Conservative Gill Cartwright returned to the council by winning back the seat she lost to Labour at the borough-wide elections last year.

Speaking after the count, Coun Swainston said: “I’m very pleased. I was hoping that I would get re-elected and that the people of Hurworth would continue to have faith in me.

“I feel vindicated by the result. I shall continue as I always have and will build the trust back up. There is some bridge building to be done.”

When asked if he would attend more meetings he said: “I will attend the meetings I need to attend. If I have to put in apologies, I will do it by email and copy in plenty of witnesses.”

After her victory in Harrowgate Hill Coun Cartwright said: “I’m very pleased to be back, I was very hopeful.

“I will be fighting the Gypsy camp proposed for the ward - that will be my priority, to campaign against the council on that proposal.”

With a turnout of 36.6 per cent in Hurworth, Coun Swainston polled 474 votes - giving him a narrow victory over his Conservative rival, Chris Brownbridge, who polled 436 votes.

Labour candidate Steve Rose received 144 votes, while David Davies, Ukip, polled 31 votes.

In Harrowgate Hill, a turnout of 33.8 per cent saw Coun Cartwright win 694 votes.

Labour candidate Helen Crumbie polled 607 votes, while Lib Dem Hilary Allen received 142 votes, Daniel Fairclough, Ukip, 95 votes, and Paul Thompson, England First, 47 votes.

Coun Steve Harker, deputy leader of the Labour group, said he was disappointed by the result in Harrowgate Hill.

“It was a low turnout and with five candidates [in Harrowgate Hill] there was always a chance there would be an unpredictable result,” he said.

“I suspect there are a number of local issues in the campaign that mean people changed how they would usually vote.”