THE ruling Liberal Democrat group on Durham City Council was celebrating yesterday after a comfortable victory in a key by-election.

The party held on to Newton Hall North ward, which was won by its candidate Amanda Hopgood with a 524-vote majority over Labour.

The victory is the second successive by-election victory for the Liberal Democrats in recent months.

In December, the party recaptured the Belmont ward following the defection of its sitting councillor, Kathleen Atkinson.

Councillor Fraser Reynolds, Liberal Democrat leader of Durham City Council, welcomed the victory, which he said demonstrated that the party was on course to capture the Parliamentary constituency of Durham City at the General Election, likely to be held later this year.

Councillor Reynolds said: "This is a landmark victory for the Liberal Democrats in what was just four years ago one of the city's most marginal seats.

"It has put Labour on notice that the Liberal Democrats are serious about their challenge to take the City of Durham constituency from Labour in May."

The Newton Hall by-election was called following the death of deputy mayor George Hunter, who held the seat for the Liberal Democrats since 1999.

There remains one vacant seat to fill on the city council - Coxhoe ward, following the jailing of sitting Labour councillor Les Sheppard last month for child sex offences.

No date has been announced for the Coxhoe by-election, but it looks increasingly likely it will not take place until May.

The full result of the Newton Hall North by-election was: Amanda Jayne Hopgood (LibDems) - 704; Aurelia Smith (Labour) - 180; Jeremy Stocker (Conservative) 68; Veronica Winter (Independent) - 62.

Turnout was 38.6 per cent.