The Scottish National Party's Iain Robertson triumphed at Dumbarton West, West Dunbartonshire. The party was a long way behind Labour when a byelection was staged in the ward shortly before last year's general election.
It was the latest setback in Scotland for Labour, which last won a byelection there more than six months ago. A jubilant SNP claimed today to have won half the Scottish council byelections since the general election.
But the overall picture for Labour was improved by a display of loyalty from another stronghold in north east England. A big swing to the party at Pelton, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, kept the Tories' projected nationwide lead - based on four comparable contests - to just 3.8%.
The Conservatives lost one of their few remaining outposts in Watford, Hertfordshire, when Liberal Democrat Mark Watkin won Nascot ward in a contest delayed from last month by a candidate's death. However their man Tony Palmer gained from the Lib Dems in Diss in south Norfolk.
Results: Chester-le-Street District - Pelton: Lab 530, C 139, Lib Dem 113, Ind 46. (May 2003 - Three seats Ind 949, Lab 925, 879, 853, C 428). Lab hold. Swing 13.4% C to Lab.
Gwynedd County - Tywyn: Plaid Cymru 434, Ind 294, Lab 109. (May 2003 - Two seats Ind 891, Plaid Cymru 836, Lab 357). Plaid Cymru hold. Swing 7.9% Lab to Plaid Cymru.
Purbeck District - Swanage South: C 642, Lib Dem 409, Lab 363. (May 2005 - C 894, Lib Dem 532, Lab 516). C hold. Swing 1% C to Lib Dem.
St Edmundsbury Borough - Kedington: C 350, Lib Dem 250, Lab 51. (May 2003 - C 423, Lab 250). C hold. Swing 10.1% Lab to C.
South Norfolk District - Diss: C 845, Lib Dem 714, Green 102. (May 2003 - Three seats Lib Dem 1026, 736, C 649, Ind 579, C 551, 546, Lab 305). C gain from Lib Dem. Swing 10.7% Lib Dem to C.
Watford Borough - Nascot: Lib Dem 887, C 828, Green 145, Lab 92. (June 2004 - C 1285, Lib Dem 660, Lab 273, Green 143). Lib Dem gain from C. Swing 14.7% C to Lib Dem.
West Dunbartonshire Council - Dumbarton West: SNP 592, Lab 588, Scottish Socialist Party 75, C 58. (May 2003 - Lab 875, SNP 294, Scottish Socialist Party 260; March 17 2005 by-election - Lab 607, SNP 287, Ind 141, Scottish Socialist Party 130, C 30, Green 16). SNP gain from Lab. Swing 20.4% Lab to SNP.
