Labour has held on to a seat in Reading as a by-election was called following the death of a councillor.

Finn McGoldrick has been elected as a Labour councillor for the Norcot ward after votes in the ward were totted up following the election on Thursday, August 3.

She beat five other candidates in the election, which was triggered following the death of councillor and deputy mayoress Colette Dennis in June.

Celebrating her win, the now-councillor McGoldrick said: “Delighted to be joining the wonderful Reading Labour group.

“Thank you so much to every member who came out campaigning and can’t wait to get to work for Norcot.”

Reading Chronicle: Finn McGoldrick being sworn in as a Labour councillor for Norcot ward. Credit: Reading LabourFinn McGoldrick being sworn in as a Labour councillor for Norcot ward. Credit: Reading Labour

She won with a majority of 649 votes, receiving 929 votes in total.

Liberal Democrat candidate Marie French was the runner up with 280 votes, managing to beat Conservative hopeful Lizzy Shepard into third place, with 209 people voting for her.

A total of 1,598 people voted, with a turnout of 21 per cent, a reduction from the 28 per cent turnout when cllr Colette Dennis was re-elected at the May elections earlier this year.

You can view the full by-election results below:

Finn McGoldrick (Labour): 929 – ELECTED

Marie French (Liberal Democrats): 280

Lizzy Shepard (Conservatives): 209

Richard Walkem (Greens): 101

Alan Gulliver (Independent): 49

Jen Bottom (TUSC): 28

Total votes: 1,598 Turnout: 21 per cent.

There is no change to the make-up of the council following the by-election.