The leader of Harrow Borough Council's Conservative group says she is disappointed with the Harrow-on-the-Hill by-election result.

Labour candidate Glen Hearnden last week held on to the seat for Labour following the resignation of Cllr Ann Gate.

Council and Conservative group leader Councillor Susan Hall said: “We are obviously disappointed that Labour were able to hold their seat – especially after the previous Labour councillors let Hill residents down so badly.

“But I am proud that the Conservative campaign was focused on local issues and that in Stephen we had a candidate who would have stood up for local interests.

“Our mission is to show all residents that Conservatives are the only party which can deliver a cleaner, safer and fairer Harrow.

“We have already increased street cleaning, and we are working more closely with the police and have revitalised Neighbourhood Champions.”

The new councillor won with 991 votes, beating the Conservative candidate Stephen Lewis who gained 836.

Independent candidate Eileen Kinnear received 308 votes, Independent Labour’s Dr Gajan Idaikkadar got 173, UKIP’s Jeremy Zeid got 168 and Liberal Democrat Gaye Branch received 70.

A spokesman for the Independent Labour group said: “As a brand new party we received more than half the votes that former Councillor Eileen Kinnear got who stood as Independent, and we beat Liberal Democrats and UKIP, both of whom have the luxury of daily national TV coverage.

“Dr. Gajan Idaikkadar campaigned on the theme of putting the residents of Harrow first. We are proud of our campaign. We will continue to provide a genuine alternative to the people of Harrow.

“We wish Cllr Hearnden well for the future in his new role and welcome him as a member of the council.”

Cllr Hearnden first engagement as a member of the council will be at the full council meeting on Thursday evening.