SNP hold East Ayrshire Council seat in by-election

The SNP has held a seat on East Ayrshire Council following a by-election.

Fiona Campbell won the Kilmarnock East and Hurlford seat for the party in a contest triggered by the death of Councillor Jim Buchanan.

The SNP took 48.7% of first preference votes, with Labour in second on 29.4% and the Conservatives third on 20.1%.

Turnout was 26.6%. SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her congratulations to the new councillor.