The Green Party has its first councillor on Cheshire East Council after a resounding victory in the Macclesfield Central by-election.

John Knight polled 750 votes to win the seat Labour had held since 2019.

A delighted Cllr Knight told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning: "I would like to say thank you for the trust the voters of Macclesfield Central have placed in me to represent them on Cheshire East Council.

"It's taken a lot of work over a good many years. We came very close to winning the seat back in 2019.

"The next scheduled Cheshire East elections are in 2027 and we're hoping this will pave the way for many more Green councillors."

The newly elected councillor thanked his 'amazing team of helpers and supporters from Macclesfield, Cheshire East and beyond'.

The results of yesterday's by-election were: James Barber-Chadwick (Lab), 513; Stephen Broadhead (Lib Dem) 40; Beverley Dooley (Con) 164; John Knight (Green Party) 750; Alan Miles (Reform UK) 283; Kim Slater (Equality Party (45).

The make-up of Cheshire East Council, which is run by a joint Labour/Independent administration, is now Conservatives 34, Labour 28, Independent Group 13, Liberal Democrat 1; Green Party, 1; Reform UK 1; Independent Socialist 1; Independent non-grouped 3.