THE daughter-in-law of former Darwen councillor Fred Slater who was elected into her father-in-law's old ward, said: "I did it for Dad'."

Julie Slater, who stood as an independent councillor in the Thursday night by-election for the East Rural ward - called after Fred's death in July - beat Conservative candidate John Raseta by just eight votes, at 209 to 201.

A re-count was called, but the votes were not changed, and returning officer Phil Watson, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, announced Mrs Slater had won.

Turn-out in the by-election was good, with 746 people voting out of a total of 1,614 residents. The Labour candidate, Stella McLennan, received 75 votes, and Liberal Democrat Brian Dunning polled 91.

The far-right parties secured almost a quarter of the total vote, with Stephen Hart of the England First Party receiving 99 and British National Party candidate Nicholas Holt 70 votes.

After the election, Mrs Slater, who married Fred's son Neil, promised she would be carrying on her father-in-law's work.

She said: "I did it for the people of East Rural and for dad'. He would be very proud of me, and I'm going to carry on the work he has done.

"We would like to thank the people of East Rural for the kind words and for giving us a chance to carry on the family tradition of serving East Rural. We cannot thank the people enough."

Despite the BNP and England First Party candidates securing 169 votes in total, council leader Kate Hollern said: "I don't think it's anything to be worried about, there were an awful lot of candidates in this particular by- election."

Fred Slater died on July 28 after collapsing in the Craven Heifer Inn, Darwen. The former Conservative councillor won his last election in May by more than 600 votes.

Julie Slater had hoped to stand for the Conservatives but John Raseta was selected in her place, so she stood as in independent instead.

Both Coun Slater's widow Jacqueline, and their son John, are councillors for the Fernhurst ward in Blackburn.