‘Very tight’: Ouseburn Lib Dem councillor celebrates becoming only Newcastle candidate to gain seat

A consistent showing from Newcastle City Council voters in this year's local elections saw just one seat in Ouseburn change hands.

The councillor seat in Ouseburn often swings and it went right down to the wire in the early hours of Friday morning after voting on Thursday.

Announced shortly before 1:30 am, the seat became the first and only in the Newcastle City Council ward to switch colour.

Mike Cookson emerged triumphant for the Liberal Democrats with 856 votes, just 25 ahead of Labour candidate Paula Holland.

Speaking to NewcastleWorld in the moments after the result, Mike said: "It's a very tight ward, no one could call that at all.

"To have made that progress is really important to us.

"We are putting in place the foundations for future success and hopefully to take control of the city council in the next few years or so."

The fast up-and-coming Newcastle neighbourhood is growing a reputation as a trendy area on a global scale.

Speaking about why its residents voted for him, Mike said: "I think we have a very good team on the ground and a very good record of achievement in the local area.

"I think we have fabulous councillors now in the local area.

"I think people really trust councillors and trust them to do the work. It's marvellous for them and it's marvellous for the people that they have two very hard-working councillors."

It was a long wait for Mike and the team as the hours ticked by and seats were held by all parties.

However, the new councillor stayed calm and said previous results hadn't increased his nerves.

Mike said: "We've been there before and the last few years have been quite tough for us as a party, but we feel we've turned the corner now."