LABOUR supporters in Bolton were celebrating today after sweeping to victory in the Crompton ward by-election.

The seat became vacant after Liberal Democrat councillor Iqbal Patel resigned in May, saying he wanted to dedicate more time to his family and business.

But any hopes the Lib Dems had of retaining it were firmly dashed when the results were announced late last night at Bolton Town Hall.

Celebrating his victory and a hard-fought campaign, Crompton's newly elected Labour councillor Hanif Darvesh, aged 37, of Blackburn Road, Bolton a former Conservative party activist paid tribute to the hard work of his team and thanked friends and family for their support.

Cllr Darvesh, an airport service duty manager at Manchester Airport, who is married with three children, said his commitment to the cause had been confirmed by Cherie Blair's recent visit to Bolton.

The Prime Minister's wife paid a whistle-stop tour to the town last week to win over voters for the up coming by-election.

Cllr Darvesh said: "Until earlier this year, I was a member of the Conservative party. However, having raised several issues with their candidate, I felt their campaign wasn't reaching out to people, especially members of the Asian community.

"My perception of the Labour party was confirmed when Cherie Blair came to support us.

"The campaigning has been hard work and tiring but I've enjoyed getting out there and talking to people about the issues.

"I am hoping to start up some residents' groups and set up some workshops to tackle crime.

"I am looking forward to the challenge and I hope I can help improve the lives of people living in the ward."

Former councillor John Cronnolley, who lost his Horwich and Blackrod seat two months ago, had hoped to make an early return to the council by retaining Crompton for the Liberal Democrats.

But he remained stoical in defeat. Nursing a nasty dog bite he had received on his finger while pushing pamphlets through a letter box on the campaign trail, he said: "I am disappointed but not surprised.

"Crompton is a very mixed ward and there is also a lot of apathy. I think it would be fair to say that the Asian vote swung it, but the local elections are next year so we now need to take stock and start planning ahead."

Conservative candidate Don Fairclough had been hoping to join his wife, Hilary, who represents Astley Bridge on the council.

Mr Fairclough, who runs Blackburn Road post office, said: "I think we ran a really good campaign. There is a lot of deprivation in this area and, knocking on people's doors, you hear the same issues time and time again people are concerned about anti-social behaviour, the state of the roads and litter, and they are desperate to see some improvement."

The overall turnout was 30.7 per cent with Labour hauling in the lion's share of the votes with 1,793, trailed by the Tories with 978.

The Lib Dems received 224, while the Socialist Labour Party and the Green Party polled 35 and 96 votes respectively.

Labour now has 24 seats on the council, strengthening its hold after becoming the biggest party in May's elections.

The Conservatives remain on 21 while the Liberal Democrats have 15.

Polling stations opened at 7am at eight schools, churches and community centres across the ward for those residents who did not request a postal vote.

They remained open until 10pm, when votes were counted at Bolton Town Hall and the winner was announced.

Leader of the council, Labour's Cllr Cliff Morris, said: "It was a landslide victory for the party and I think the result reflects the mood of the electorate and the confidence they have in us.

"We're a little disappointed by the turn-out but it is up from the last by-election in this ward which I believe was then about 20 per cent."