THE Labour Party in Workington have hailed recent local elections as an 'encouraging result' for the party, as they enjoyed a number of wins in town council seats across the constituency.

Across the former Allerdale area, 18 elections were held on Thursday, May 4  with the highest turnout being in the Cockermouth Double Mills ward with 45.92 per cent. Labour candidate Marion Bowman and Liberal Democrat Stephen Barnes were elected to the two seats available.

Lowest turnout was in Westfield, Workington with Labour candidates Sean Melton, Neil Schofield and Kate Schofield being elected to the three town council seats.

The Labour Party have said that town council elections in Cumbria have shown that the results are 'encouraging' for the party heading into next years general election.

It is understood that the Labour Party have not yet selected a candidate for the new Workington and Whitehaven constituency that has been created by recent boundary changes.

Chair of Workington Constituency Labour Party, Juliette Wilson said: "We have worked hard since the last General Election under Keir Starmer’s leadership to win back the trust of voters, starting right at grass roots level.

"The town council results show that people have really had enough of the Tories and are giving Labour a hearing again.

"Notable results include Mark Fryer, Leader of the new Cumberland Council, being elected to Workington Town Council, and in Cockermouth we now have a significant majority with nine Labour councillors to three others, including a new Labour councillor in one traditionally Conservative ward for the first time ever.

"Other Labour wins in Maryport and Keswick made it an encouraging result for Labour and we are in good shape to make a difference for our communities and in our campaign to persuade voters to back Labour candidates in the general election due next year.

"We will work hard for everyone in our towns and villages."

Conservative Party candidates Jacqueline Kirkbride retained her seat on Workington Town Council for Stainburn, alongside Harrington Conservative councillor Paul Larkin.

Independent candidates Lynda Williams, Patricia Poole, Iain Greaney, George Kemp and Stephen Stoddart also held their positions on town councils.