26/11/2009New councillor Ann Ritchie holds Bo'ness seat for SNP
Ann Ritchie won the seat to succeed long-standing Bo'ness councillor Harry Constable
The SNP has held the Bo'ness and Blackness seat on Falkirk Council in a by-election held following the death of Councillor Harry Constable.
Ann Ritchie of the SNP received 58% of the first preference votes cast, while Labour took 30%, the Conservatives 10% and the Liberal Democrats 3%.
The results represent a 10% rise in the SNP vote in the area since the last election in May 2007.
Turnout for the poll was 23%, with 2,815 ballot papers cast, of which 2,789 were valid and 26 rejected.
Former councillor Mr Constable died in September at the age of 68 after serving in local government for 43 years.
Ann Ritchie of the SNP received 58% of the first preference votes cast, while Labour took 30%, the Conservatives 10% and the Liberal Democrats 3%.
The results represent a 10% rise in the SNP vote in the area since the last election in May 2007.
Turnout for the poll was 23%, with 2,815 ballot papers cast, of which 2,789 were valid and 26 rejected.
Former councillor Mr Constable died in September at the age of 68 after serving in local government for 43 years.