EAST Lothian's newest councillor said his win in the Preston Seton Gosford by-election this morning was "a bittersweet moment", as the vote followed the death of East Lothian Council leader Willie Innes.

This morning, Colin Yorkston was announced as the winner, holding the seat for Labour.

READ MORE: Labour's Colin Yorkston wins Preston Seton Gosford by-election

Voters in the ward, which includes Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, and Longniddry, went to the polls yesterday to chose a new councillor following the death of Mr Innes (Labour) last October.

After being announced as the winner with 1,793 first-preference votes, Mr Yorkston told the Courier: "It's been a humbling experience with the amount of support I've had from local activists and other members of the Labour Party from all over.

"I'm from Prestonpans so I'm hugely proud to be representing the ward that the town is in but then with the main factor of [the by-election being called because of] Willie's passing it's been sad as well – I was delighted to win but it was a bittersweet moment."

The chemistry teacher at Holy Rood High School, Edinburgh, added that he didn't believe many of the parties "particularly wanted to go ahead [with a by-election] given the circumstances" – the seat will be up for election again in just four months when the full East Lothian Council elections take place in May – but that rules were rules.

He continued: "It was mixed emotions – happy to win but sad for the reason that we had to have a by-election in the first place."

Mr Yorkston, who was brought up and currently lives in Prestonpans with his wife Dawn, a nurse, is an active member of the EIS teaching union and formerly a member of the parent council at Preston Tower Primary School, and former chairman of Preston Lodge High School Parent Council.

He was active in the high school parent council for 14 years before leaving the committee last summer.

He was also the agent for the Labour candidates in the Preston Seton Gosford ward at the last local elections in 2017 and has been chair of East Lothian Labour Party since 2018.

Speaking on his main priorities as a new councillor, Mr Yorkston said: "I am keen to improve the local opportunities for youngsters.

"We have a couple of opportunities at sites such as the Cockenzie Power Station site and Blindwells.

"There are moves afoot to try and get collaboration between housebuilders and local schools to provide opportunities for youngsters to learn a trade."

Mr Yorkston – alongside headteacher Gavin Clark and the late Willie Innes – were founding members of the Preston Lodge Learning Foundation, set up in 2014.

Mr Yorkston stepped down from his role at the foundation before the summer – following his youngest daughter's departure from the school – but has since been invited back as a general trustee.

When asked why he thought he had received the highest number of votes in the by-election, Mr Yorkston replied: "My emphasis on giving opportunities to youngsters who are unsure what they want to do or where they want to go, especially during the pandemic which has been so challenging for everyone, has played a part.

"I have met lots of constituents so my visible presence that I am there has helped."

Mr Yorkston will stand again for election in the East Lothian Council election on May 5, adding that it was his intention to do so before the announcement of the by-election.

He added: "Willie Innes was very keen to give youngsters opportunities and a helping hand up in life so I hope to continue with that."

Janis Wilson, SNP candidate, who finished second behind Mr Yorkston with 1,217 first-preference votes, said: "Congratulations to Colin on his win today. He'll make an excellent councillor.

"The campaign was a friendly one and that makes things so much easier.

"I look forward to the battle commencing again in May."

Andy Ovens, Conservative candidate, who placed third in the vote with 1,154 first-preference votes, said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

"Given the wider political circumstances, this was a great result for the Scottish Conservatives.

"To see our vote share rise shows the strength of the party under Douglas Ross’s leadership.

"Yet again, Labour’s vote fell significantly in East Lothian and the question is how much further can they fall.”

The Greens placed fourth, their candidate Tim Porteus pulling in 231 first-preference votes, while the Liberal Democrats' Ben Morse narrowly finished fifth on 136 votes, just ahead of independent Calum Miller with 122.

In terms of the share of first-preference votes, Labour dropped 4.2 per cent in the ward from the 2017 council election, while the SNP's share fell too, by 1.4 per cent. The Conservatives increased their share of the vote by 0.7 per cent. 

Turnout was 31.4 per cent.