The Conservative Party Co-Chairman, Amanda Milling has responded to the Hartlepool result.

She said: “This is a historic result.

“We’re delighted that the people of Hartlepool have put their faith in Jill and the Conservatives to deliver on their priorities: to bring the change, investment and jobs Hartlepool deserves.

“The work to repay that faith starts right now, as we continue with our agenda to level up and build back better from the pandemic.

“I want to pay tribute to Jill Mortimer who will be a fantastic MP and will work tirelessly for the people of Hartlepool.

“And I want to thank the voters of Hartlepool who have put their trust in us to deliver on their priorities”

Here's the full breakdown of results in Hartlepool - there were 16 candidates:

• David Bettney, Social Democratic Party - 104

• The Incredible Flying Brick, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party -108

• Hilton Dawson, The North East Party - 163
• Gemma Evans, Women's Equality Party - 140
• Rachel Sara Featherstone, The Green Party - 358
• Adam Gaines, Independent - 126
• Andrew Michael Hagon, Liberal Democrat - 349
• Steve Jack, Freedom Alliance, No Lockdowns, No Curfews - 72
• Chris Killick - 248
• Sam Lee, Independent - 2,904
• Claire Martin, Heritage Party - 468
• Jill Mortimer, Conservative Party - 15,529
• John Prescott, Reform UK - 368
• Thelma Doris Walker, Independent - 250
• W. Ralph Ward-Jackson, Independent - 157
• Paul Daniel Williams, Labour Party - 8,589

Conservative candidate - soon to be MP - Jill Mortimer hails her victory as a "truly historic" result, and pledges to "work tirelessly" for the town in Parliament to bring "jobs and investment".

She says it has become apparent people in the town have "had enough" of Labour, and had "made it clear it's time for a change".

The results are in – the Conservatives have won the Hartlepool by-election, taking it off Labour for the first time since the seat was created in 1974.

Steve Reed, shadow secretary for communities and local government denied the result was a reflection of Keir Starmer's leadership.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, he said: "Keir's been leader for a year and it's been an extraordinarily unusual year, given that Keir's not yet been able to give a speech in front of a live audience or shake a live voter's hand, because of the restrictions of the pandemic.

"And Keir never made any bones about the fact that we had an electoral mountain to climb after December 2019 - that was our worst result for 85 years.

"We have to win 124 seats back at the next general election simply to draw level with the Conservatives, and that's more seats than any party has won back in a single general election - it was always going to take more than a year to make this change."

There was dismay at the Hartlepool result from within Labour.

Shadow local government secretary Steve Reed said: "People understand the leader has changed, they don't understand that the party has changed, because we haven't yet done enough prove that."

Labour MP Richard Burgon, who was shadow justice secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, called the result "incredibly disappointing".

He tweeted: "Labour's leadership needs to urgently change direction. It should start by championing the popular policies in our recent manifestos - backed by a large majority of voters."

And the left-wing Momentum group, which backed Jeremy Corbyn, described it as a "disaster".

Image source, PA Media

Conservative Jill Mortimer wins the Hartlepool by-election, giving the seat to the Tories for the first time in more than 50 years.

The Conservatives have taken control of Northumberland County Council, with a majority of one.

A dead heat in two of the seats led to a ballot draw - effectively drawing straws - a repeat of the 2017 elections, at which the Tories then lost over all control.

Jill Mortimer, the newly elected Conservative MP for Hartlepool, called her by-election victory a "truly historic result".

Giving a victory speech after the result, she said: "I'm immensely proud to be the first Conservative MP in Hartlepool for 57 years.

"Not only that, I am the first woman ever to be elected as MP for this town.

"It is a truly historic result and a momentous day.

"Labour have taken people in Hartlepool for granted for too long.

"I heard this time and time again on the doorstep and people have had enough and now, through this result, the people have spoken and have made it clear it is time for change."

Image source, PA Media

Hartlepool has a Conservative MP for the first time since the constituency's creation after Jill Mortimer secured a by-election victory.

She beat Labour's Dr Paul Williams in a by-election which was triggered after Labour's Mike Hill stepped down.

Securing a 6,940 majority, winning 15,529 votes to Dr Williams' 8,589, she declared it a "truly historic result".

Image source, PA Media

Conservatives have won the Hartlepool by-election.

Labour had held the town since 1974.

Votes are still being counted in Northumberland.

Chris Mason
Political Correspondent

It is widely expected that Hartlepool will have a Conservative MP for the first time in more than 50 years when the by-election result comes in later.

It will be awkward for Sir Keir Starmer as Labour concedes another block in the so-called 'red wall' that has been bulldozed by the Conservatives since 2019.

Starmer has a tricky explaining job to do to members of his party.

And while it is just one by-election, it will contribute to changing the mood.

Crucially it will be hard, in a Westminster context, for Starmer to point to any sense of progress.

Fergus Hewison
BBC Newcastle political reporter

Labour avoids losing overall control of Sunderland City Council, but only just.

It finishes the night having lost nine seats.

The council political composition is now Labour 42, Conservatives 18 (up six), Liberal Democrats 12 (up four, UKIP three (no gains, not defending any seats).