Tory wins stretch into Scotland

Mike Thomson won the ward by-election for the Conservatives

A night of council victories for the Conservative Party south of the border has reached into Scotland.

Mike Thomson won a by-election for the Abbey ward on Dumfries and Galloway Council, forced by the resignation of Tory Party colleague Bruce Hodgson.

Mr Thomson saw off Labour, SNP, Lib Dem and independent candidates to secure the seat.

He was a former independent councillor who had a place on the south west Scotland authority up until 2003.

Mr Thomson took the Dumfries and Galloway seat with more than 2,000 votes from a turnout of about 45%.

In second place was Labour's Tom McAughtrie, followed by John McNaught of the SNP, independent Graham McLeod and Lib Dem Keith Mycock.

The Tories south of the border gained more than 100 seats during the council elections in England and Wales.