Islington Labour is celebrating victory in a council by-election after its candidate polled more than half the total votes.

Alice Perry, 30, has been elected as the new councillor for St Peter’s Ward after being chosen by 1167 residents out of the 2,225 who voted yesterday.

Liberal Democrat David Sant came second with 440, Conservative Richard Bunting was third with 381 and Green Party Caroline Allen finished fourth with 176.

Councillor Paul Smith, (Labour) Islington Council’s executive member for environment, said: “This is a historically unprecedented shift because in the past the Lib Dems held this seat for 20 years.

“We have been fighting hard against the Mayor of London’s policy to get rid of many of our safer neighbourhoods team. This was the first test of the public reaction after the riots and it was a very strong rejection.”

The turnout from 8,978 voters was just under 25 per cent.

The by-election was held after Labour councillor Shelley Coupland resigned because she is facing criminal charges over benefit irregularities.