THE North Coast ward will have no Labour councillors for the first time in its history after a disappointing election result.

Labour could not do enough to get their candidate Valerie Reid elected following the retirement of long-standing councillor Alex Gallagher, who had served in the ward since its creation in 2007.

A good showing for the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Conservatives seen them pick up two councillors each in the ward, alongside returning independent Ian Murdoch.

Alan Hill and Tom Marshall were also re-elected for another five years alongside the new recruit SNP’s Eleanor Collier and the Conservative’s Todd Ferguson, who served as a councillor for the now defunct West Kilbride and Dalry ward.

Councillors Murdoch and Collier were both elected at the first stage of voting, gaining 1,718 and 1,724 first preference votes respectively.

Cllr Ferguson was elected at stage three with 1,633 first preference votes, with Cllr Hill and Cllr Marshall at stages ten and 12 after picking up 1,325 and 1,331 first preference votes respectively.

Labour’s Valerie Reid picked up 995 during a disappointing day for Labour in North Ayrshire.

Cllr Murdoch expressed his delight at the size of his share - and has vowed to work hard during his next five year term.

He said: “I’m over the moon and I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me.

“It’s a huge effort for an independent to get a result like this and I appreciate every nod that was given to me.”

Cllr Collier says she wants to deliver results for all residents across the North Coast after storming into the seat in her maiden election campaign.

She said: “I’m delighted to be elected and I just want to say thanks to everyone who got behind me.

“I’d really like to represent the ward fully, get involved with how the council works and deliver results.”

Returning councillor Todd Ferguson says he is excited by West Kilbride coming into the North Coast ward.

He said: “We’ll hold the SNP and Labour to account and come together as a group to see what policies we want to develop.

“It’s really exciting to have West Kilbride back in the North Coast and it certainly fits with the local area and some of the aspirations we have for the village.”

Alan Hill, who has served as a councillor for the area for more than 20 years, has vowed to get Skelmorlie more involved in the North Coast moving forward.

He said: “I’m delighted to be re-elected again and it’s been a great election for the SNP across North Ayrshire. I’m really looking forward to the next five years.

“I want to get a grip of the North Coast Locality Partnership and start to develop initiatives across the area particularly on Cumbrae, and make sure we get some serious involvement in Skelmorlie.”

Cllr Marshall, who is the Conservative party leader in North Ayrshire, admits that the election went better than expected.

He said: “We’ve done a lot better than we thought we would, so we need to map out the way ahead for the group in North Ayrshire.

“Todd and I are very grateful for the number of votes, putting up two candidates was always a calculated risk but it has paid off.”

With no party winning a majority in the council, a vote will take place on May 18 to decide who will control the council for the next term.