The SNP has suffered a shock defeat in the Irvine West by-election after Nicola Sturgeon's dad lost out on the seat to Labour.

Robin Sturgeon stood for the SNP in the contest in the Irvine West ward of North Ayrshire Council.

However, he was beaten by Labour's Louise McPhater.

The SNP topped the first-preference votes in the council by-election but lost the seat on second preferences.

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First-preference voting was: SNP 1,164, Lab 1,029, C 639, Soc Lab 131, Green 94, LD 48. Turnout was 20.9%.

The defeat means that Labour are now the biggest party in North Ayrshire and could cost the SNP control of the council.

The by-election was prompted by the resignation of the SNP's Ruth Maguire following her election as MSP for Cunninghame South in May.

Ms Sturgeon tweeted that she was proud of her dad following the shock defeat.

The First Minister's dad was aiming to follow in the footsteps of his wife Joan Sturgeon, who is a councillor for Irvine East and the Provost of North Ayrshire.

Meanwhile, the SNP took a Renfrewshire Council seat from Labour in a by-election in the Renfrew South and Gallowhill ward following the death of a Labour councillor.

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First-preference voting was: SNP 1,309, Lab 1,012, C 366, LD 53. Turnout 26.2%.

South of the border, in the only other by-election taking place, Conservatives were reported to have comfortably held a seat in the Ombersley division of Worcestershire County Council in a contest following the death of a Tory councillor.

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Derek Mackay, the SNP business convener and MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, said his party had enjoyed a "fantastic win" in Renfrew South and Gallowhill.

Mr Mackay stated: "I look forward to working closely with Jim Paterson, who I know will strive to do his very best for the local community.

"It's a clear endorsement of the SNP's strong record in local and national government, and a great launchpad as we look towards next year's council elections across Scotland.

"In Irvine West we were pleased to secure more first-preference votes than any other party and increase the SNP's share of the vote from 2012."