The Conservatives have swept to victory in the Coulby Newham by-election, taking more than twice as many votes as their Labour rivals.

Luke Mason was elected as councillor after the Tory candidate convincingly took 49 per cent of all votes cast in the by-election held on Thursday.

The life-long Coulby Newham resident had said it would be “an honour to represent (his) home community”.

And the 20-year-old said he was keen to prioritise measures to improve the lives of residents, including reducing crime, seeking out new ways to tackle anti-social behaviour and fly tipping and ensuring our green spaces are preserved and protected.

The Conservative candidate made the news in 2017 after he battled back from serious injury after being run down in a hit and run outside The Empire nightclub in Middlesbrough.

Of the 1,405 votes cast, Cllr Mason took 689 of them. His nearest rival, Labour candidate, Alex Law took 279, while Liberal Democrat Tom Carney wasn’t far behind with 259.

Two votes were between the remaining independent candidates with Ellie Lowther taking 90 votes and Ian Morrish 88.

Middlesbrough Conservative Group leader, Cllr David Coupe, said: “It was down to hard work by Luke Mason and all the helpers we had out. The voters of Coulby have made their feelings clear in voting for Luke Mason and wanting a change from Labour to Conservative.”

Middlesbrough Labour Group leader, Cllr Matt Storey, said: “Congratulations to Luke Mason on his election.

“It was a disappointing night but Alex Law was a fantastic candidate who ran an excellent campaign and I’d like to thank all the party members who came out to support Alex and Labour in Coulby.

“We will continue to represent people in communities across Middlesbrough, including Coulby Newham, as the last line of defence against Conservative cuts to our local public services.”

Labour remain the largest group in the Middlesbrough Council chamber with 20 members.

The next largest is Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) with 15 followed by the Middlesbrough independent Group (MIG) with eight.

The Conservatives now have three members and Middlesbrough Mayor, Andy Preston, counts as an independent member giving him a single vote.

The Middlesbrough Council by-election was triggered by the resignation of Cllr David Smith in January. Mr Smith, 30, appeared at Teesside Crown Court in September and pleaded not guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child where it is alleged he touched a boy more than a decade ago.

The trial is estimated to last five days starting on June 1.

Coulby Newham Ward by-election result

Tom Carney: Liberal Democrats 259

Alex Law: Labour Party 279

Ellie Lowther: Independent 90

Luke Mason: Conservative Party 689

Ian Morrish: Independent 88

Rejected ballot papers: 2

Electorate: 6,515

Turn-out: 21.6 per cent.