THE POLLING booths have closed in the by-election for the parliamentary seat in Middlesbrough.

The election was called in the wake of Sir Stuart Bell's death at his Middlesbrough home, aged 74, following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

He first became Middlesbrough MP in June 1983.

The candidates are: Andy MacDonald, Labour; Richard Elvin, Ukip candidate; Conservative Ben Houchen; John Malcolm for the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition; George Selmer for the Liberal Democrats; Imdad Hussain for the Peace Party; Peter Foreman for the British National Party; and Mark Heslehurst who will contest the seat as an independent.

For reports and results, including a live blog, go to northernecho.co.uk/byelection