Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Carolyn Caddick has won the Inverness South by-election.
She took the seat on Highland Council with a majority of just seven votes, ahead of Ken Gowans (SNP) who finished second.
The two candidates were neck and neck throughout the count, which took place at Inverness Town House this morning.
Mrs Caddick polled 1091 votes, ahead of Mr Gowans on 1084 votes. The vote was confirmed following a recount.
She now joins Councillors Jim Crawford (Independent Members Group), Roy Pederson (SNP) and Thomas Prag (Liberal Democrats) in representing Inverness South on the council.
The seat became vacant following the resignation of former Labour councillor John Holden, currently serving a jail sentence after being found guilty of fraud.
Polling in the ward, which includes Inshes, Balloch and Milton of Leys, took place yesterday.
The electorate in the ward is 9760 people, but only 2620 people voted - representing a 26.8 per cent turnout.
Katherine Mackenzie (Scottish Labour Party) finished third, ahead of David Bonsor (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) in fourth, Gale Falconer (Scottish Green Party) in fifth, Donald Boyd (Scottish Christian Party 'Proclaiming Christ's Lordship') sixth and David McGrath (Independent) in seventh.
The make-up of the council is now: Independents (25), Liberal Democrats (21), SNP (17), Labour (6), Independent Members Group (6), Independent Alliance Group (4), and non-aligned (1).
See The Inverness Courier on Tuesday for the full story and pictures.
