'We recognise Labour has work to do' - Douglas Alexander

Labour's election co-ordinator Douglas Alexander has said the party will not take any voter for granted following a narrow victory over UKIP in the Heywood and Middleton by-election.

Labour held the seat with 11,633 votes, just 617 ahead of UKIP.

Nigel Farage said his party's second place was "even more significant" than its win in Clacton, saying UKIP was now the main opposition to Labour in northern cities.

Mr Alexander conceded: "We have work to do... we need to tackle the alienation that lies at the root of the anger that so many voters feel."