THE Liberal Democrats turned their electoral fortunes around with an overwhelming by-election victory.

Lib Dem candidate Simon White was the clear winner of the contest in Newcastle Borough Council's Madeley ward, which had previously been held by Labour.

The party has struggled at the national polls since forming a coalition government with the Conservatives in 2010.

But Mr White, a 43-year-old B&B owner from Madeley, polled 617 votes, comfortably ahead of Labour's John Smart, who received 342.

Conservative candidate Howard Goodall came third with 294 votes, while Ukip's Elaine Blake received just 41. The turn-out in the by-election was 36.7 per cent.

Mr White said his victory was down to the Lib Dem's work in Madeley.

He said: "I stood here last year and came second last, which I think was down to the national situation, and the fact that nobody knew me. But I've been working hard for Madeley on the parish council, and so this time my own personality has come through."

Lib Dem group leader Robin Studd added: "This result shows that the Lib Dems are a real force here."

The by-election was called following the death of Labour ward councillor and former Newcastle Mayor Bill Sinnott.

Mr Sinnott died after being taken ill on holiday, just months after he won the Madeley seat for Labour.

Labour deputy group leader Gareth Snell tried to put a positive spin on the result.

He said: "It is disappointing for us, but I think it's been worse for the Conservatives, who have come third in a seat that they held before last May.

"We are still looking to take control of the council at the next elections."

Labour remains the single biggest group on the borough council, which is run by a Tory-Lib Dem coalition.

Conservative council leader Stephen Sweeney preferred to see the result as a victory for the coalition over Labour.

He said: "I'm pleased for the Liberals, they had a very strong candidate.

"We're two years into the coalition Government, but Labour still weren't able to win here."

Ukip candidate Elaine Blake had previously served as a Labour councillor in Silverdale and Parksite for 12 years.

But she stood down in 2010 and left the party, saying she had been made to feel like an outsider.

Mrs Blake said: "I joined Ukip because I feel it is the party where I can make the biggest difference."

The council is now made up of 20 Conservatives, 13 Liberal Democrats, 24 Labour, two United Kingdom Independence Party councillors and one independent councillor.