MIDDLESBROUGH’S Labour tradition showed no sign of abating as Andy McDonald was declared the town’s MP with more than 24,000 votes.

Cheers drowned out the returning officer’s declaration as party supporters celebrated the re-election of Mr McDonald, whose share of the vote was 65.7 per cent.

The Northern Echo:

Figures show 35,694 people braved the rain and winds to cast their vote in the seat that includes Middlesbrough town centre, Acklam, Linthorpe, Brambles Farm and Thorntree.

They cast 24,404 votes for Mr McDonald, the 59-year-old solicitor who first became a parliamentarian in 2012, having won the by-election called following the death of Sir Stuart Bell.

Second place, with 9,531 votes, went to Tory candidate Jacob Young, with Ukip’s David Hodgson in third place with 1,452 votes.

Independent candidate Terry Lawton had 632 votes, Liberal Democrat Dawud Islam had 368 and the Green Party’s Carl Martinez had 250.

Following his victory, Mr McDonald thanked the electorate and said: “I want to say a huge thank you, to the 24,404 voters of Middlesbrough who came out, they got on board with this manifesto.

“The beautiful thing about it is that the people of Middlesbrough do not forget their roots and that came out loud and clear through all the conversations we had.

“It is my honour and privilege to go back to Westminster and bat for Middlesbrough, get the best deals I possibly can and be of service to the people of this brilliant town.”

Mr Young, a chemical worker and councillor on Teesside, remained in high spirits at the end of the night, with his lively supporters shouting “We won Coulby Newham” as a reminder of his recent victory in a local by-election.

He said: “I feel great – we’ve done really well in Middlesbrough and it’s one of our best results in recent years.

“People have sent a clear message that actually, the Conservatives are speaking for the working people of Middlesbrough now.”

Mr Hodgson said he had hoped for second place but recognised that the results were in line with national expectations for Ukip, while Mr Martinez said he was disappointed with the results for the Green Party.

Mr Lawton said: “It was a terrific turn out for Middlesbrough – it shows that voters now realise they can actually have an impact with their vote.

“I’m quite happy – I got 632 votes and was delighted.”