Newly elected Keighley West Ward councillor Angela Sinfield has promised that tackling anti-social behaviour is top of her to-do list, after snatching the seat from the British National Party.

Cllr Sinfield, 43, took back the Bradford Council seat for Labour in a by-election held last Thursday with a 603 majority, polling 1,819 votes in a turn out of 35 per cent.

She beat off the BNP candidate Ian Dawson, who failed to retain the seat for his party following the resignation of colleague Angela Clarke. Mr Dawson finished second with 1,216 votes.

Cllr Sinfield hit national headlines about three years ago when she formed Families Against Child Exploitation (FACE) after allegations that Asian men in Keighley were grooming girls for sex.

Cllr Sinfield's own daughter had been groomed for sex by a local gang.

She said after the election count: "I never expected such a majority. I'm so pleased. It is a real endorsement for Labour from the people of the ward."

She said people were aware of the FACE campaign, which had led to a change in legislation allowing police to act on the hearsay evidence of a third party in certain cases.

She is also keen to set up a half-way house for youngsters fleeing violence or sexual harassment and will also focus on anti-social behaviour in the ward.

"Many people, especially the elderly, said they had never felt as scared and vulnerable as they had in places where they had lived 30 and 40 years," said Cllr Sinfield, a mother of four girls.

Conservative candidate Lionel Lockley, of Exley Crescent, Keighley, secured third place with 627 votes.

The Liberal Democrat contender Victoria Salmons, of Greystones Drive, Bracken Bank, Keighley, polled 208 votes.

Labour agent Mark Taylor said: "This result is the best thing that could have happened to Keighley. Angela is going to be a great councillor.

"The BNP needs to get the message that it should go away -- it is not welcome here."

John Campbell, of Yorkshire and Humberside Unite Against Fascism, welcomed the vote.

"The BNP's defeat is a step forward for the whole of Yorkshire," he said.

"However, Keighley and other parts of West Yorkshire are the BNP's strongest areas in Britain. The anti-fascist movement must vigorously campaign against the BNP in the local elections."

RESULTS

Angela Sinfield (Lab) 1,819.

Ian Dawson (BNP) 1,216.

Lionel Dawson (Con) 627.

Victoria Salmons (Lib-Dem) 208.