Labour have held their council seat in the Falkirk South by-election after a close-run contest with the SNP, on a turnout of under 25%.
Euan Stainbank of Labour was elected as the MP for Falkirk in this summer's general election, and therefore resigned his seat as a councillor.
That meant a by-election in the ward, with Claire Aitken looking to hold the seat against a challenge from Carol Ann Beattie for the SNP.
It was Ms Beattie who came out on top in first-preference voting, securing 1043 votes to her Labour rival's 1014.
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However, neither reached the 50% threshold needed for election, meaning further rounds counting other preferences until a winner emerged.
By the seventh round of voting, Ms Aitken came out on top.
The turnout for the by-election was just 24.9% well below even another by-election in the ward in 2021 which saw 32.5% of eligible voters cast a ballot.
Ms Aitken said: "I’m not a career politician and that was what people said to me time and again when I was out canvassing – you're a normal person.
"I’m relieved the election campaign is over and I’m now looking forward to working for the people I’ll be representing.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said on social media: "A fantastic result in Falkirk South!
"Congratulations to our new councillor Claire Aitken and the hard-working team." Scottish Labour is ready to deliver for the people of Scotland.
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