Cockermouth has two new councillors.

Former Cockermouth School business manager Joan Ellis will represent the town on Allerdale council after winning a by-election last night.

The Papcastle resident and Labour members took 324 voted.

Liberal Democrat candidate Debbie Taylor came second with 234 votes.

Existing town council and Conservative candidate Simon Nicholson gained 206 votes and UKIP's Eric Atkinson took 32.

There were four spoiled ballot papers.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat Rebecca Hanson was elected to the town council with 228 votes.

The Kirkgate resident, who works as a maths education consultant, beat nearest rival Lydia Parlett, of Labour, who took 189 votes.

Independent Michael Bradshaw achieved 138 votes.

There were 11 spoiled ballot papers.

The turnout in each by-election was 36 per cent.

The by-elections, in the Christchurch ward, were held following the resignation of Margaret Jackson, who stood down from the councils in July to move nearer to her family.