WHILE BLACKPOOL waited for the general election results, Labour supporters were already celebrating the victory, albeit narrow, of Carol Radcliffe in the town's Waterloo ward by-election, also held on Thursday.

The Waterloo seat had been vacant since the death of Conservative Councillor Collin Hanson in April, and the count took place alongside the general election counts at Blackpool Sports Centre.

It was the first of the three results announced there, setting the scene for a night of Labour celebration in the town.

But with only 26 votes between by-election winner Carol Radcliffe for Labour, and Tory candidate John Herdman, the result was by no means a comfortable majority.

Coun Radcliffe, however, was undaunted by the closeness of the result, saying: "I'm very, very happy -- absolutely delighted -- and looking forward to working for the people of Waterloo ward."

She described the win as a "personal triumph" and said her work on local issues had already begun, with a clean-up campaign already up and running.

And she was unsure whether voter apathy had helped or hindered. "That probably did have an influence, but whether it benefited us, or took votes away from us, I'm not quite sure," she said.

Meanwhile, Tory candidate John Herdman put on a brave face, and said: "It's always disappointing to lose but it was a good scrap. I should hate to lose by hundreds."

He blamed the loss of the seat to Labour on the additional competition of independently standing candidate, Ann Edwards, who received 208 votes.

But he remained philosophical. "I can wake up tomorrow morning and I've got less work to do," he said. He added defiantly: "There is another election in 2003."

Ian Coleman (Lib Dem) -- 696

Ann Edwards (Ind) -- 208

John Herdman (Conservative) -- 833

Carol Radcliffe (Labour) -- 859