THE SNP have held an Aberdeen ward with an increased vote share following a by-election prompted by the former councillor becoming an MP.

The Kincorth/Nigg/Cove seat was left vacant when Stephen Flynn was voted in as the Aberdeen South MP in December.

Miranda Radley has been elected as the area’s new councillor with a vote share of 47.4%, up 6.7 percentage points on the previous council vote there.

The Tories came in second place with 20.2%, down 1.3 points, while Labour secured just 12.2% of the vote – a decrease of 5.3 points.

Andy Finlayson, an independent candidate, secured 10.5% while the LibDems were down 1.6% with just 3.6% of the vote.

There were 10 candidates overall including three other independents, and Green and Libertarian representatives.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted to Radley’s win on Twitter as the US election news raged on.

“And now to the real election news of the day,” she wrote. “Massive congratulations to new @theSNP councillor in Aberdeen @radley_miranda. Well done to all the team.”

Congratulations flooded in for the new councillor from ministers and other SNP figures including Ian Blackford, Kevin Stewart and Clare Haughey.