THE Labour Party has captured the borough council seat made vacant by the death of Councillor Tony Moore.

The maverick councillor represented the Middridge ward on Sedgefield Borough Council as an independent member for many years until he died of a heart attack, in March.

At a by-election held last Thursday, Labour's Vince Crosby took the seat, but it was a close run thing.

Councillor Crosby polled 1,129 votes, just 96 in front of independent candidate Brian Hall.

The turnout of 60.72 per cent was unusually high for a local council by-election, boosted by the fact it was held on the same day as the General Election.

Coun Crosby, who was an active union member for a number of years, is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, in Newton Aycliffe.

He was also recently co-opted onto Great Aycliffe Town Council to fill the vacancy created by Coun Moore's death.

Councillor Bob Fleming, leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council and a member of Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "I have known Vince Crosby for many many years.

"He will make a welcome addition to the council.

"He is definitely a hard worker and since he came on the town council all the signs are that he will be a regular attender and take an active part in debate."