A Fife councillor is going to Holyrood after winning the Cowdenbeath seat.

David Barratt won the six-way fight for the constituency seat, to hold it for the SNP after Annabelle Ewing retired.

It was the first of five seats declared at the Fife count which is being held at the Michael Woods Sports Centre in Glenrothes.

Mr Barratt, who is one of the councillors for the west Fife town, topped the poll with 11,994 and a majority of 5687 over second placed Fiona Sword (Labour) who polled 6307.

The results are being announced at the Fife count (Pic: Fife Free Press)

placeholder image — The results are being announced at the Fife count (Pic: Fife Free Press)

That was more than enough to push ReformUK’s Mark Davies into third place on 4708. With local Conservative councillor Darren Watt taking fourth on 2201.

James Calder, another Fife Councillor,was fifth for the Lib Dems on 1547 with Laurie Moffat (Alliance To Liberate Scotland) last on 304.

The turn out was 27,149- 47.44% which is a big drop on the 60% who voted in 2021.

In his victory speech, Mr Barratt paid tribute to his predecessor Annabelle Ewing’s “rebellious spirit” which he hailed as “inspiring” and added: “I could not have done it without her - her support and advice throughout the campaign was invaluable.”