Liz McInnes retained her Heywood and Middleton seat with an increased majority

A delighted Liz McInnes at the announcement of her win with an increased majority

In what to most observers was a surprisingly comfortable victory given the expectation that UKIP would run her very close, Liz McInnes retained the seat of Heywood and Middleton for Labour with a majority of 5,299 votes.

Ms McInnes received 20,936 votes with UKIP candidate John Bickley in second place with 15,627 votes.

Speaking after her win, Ms McInnes said: “It feels great. I really feel pleased that after the tough by-election, this is confirmation from the people of Heywood and Middleton that we are a Labour constituency and I feel that the work that I have already done as the MP has been verified by the electorate.

"I am really pleased to have increased the majority and to get things back to how it was when Jim Dobbin held the seat.

“Thank you very much to all who voted for taking the time to go and vote.

"In the by-election, I know a lot of people didn’t turn out to vote and I am really pleased that people have taken the time to exercise their democratic right today.”

The seat has been held Labour since its creation in 1983.

Votes

• Labour - Liz McInnes (Elected) 20,926 
• UKIP - John Joseph Bickley 15,627 
• Conservative - Iain Brian Gartside 9,268 
• Liberal Democrat - Anthony J Smith 1,607 
• Green - Abi Jackson 1,110 

Share of votes

• Labour – 43% 
• UKIP – 32% 
• Conservative – 19% 
• Liberal Democrat – 3% 
• Green – 2% 

Electorate – 79,766
Total votes – 48,538
Turnout - 60.85%