DOWNHAM'S new councillor has pledged to fight anti-social behaviour in the area.

Councillor Mark Morris says it is vital Lewisham Council looks at bringing in street wardens in an attempt to take on yobs who are making residents' lives a misery.

Cllr Morris swept to victory in a by-election last Thursday which saw the Liberal Democrats take the seat from the ruling Labour group.

The vote, which was held after incumbent Paul Fallon resigned due to ill health, also saw the British National Party (BNP) beat the Conservatives and take third place.

Demonstrators protesting the BNP's involvement in the election attended the count, which was held at the Civic Suite, in Catford.

A delighted Cllr Morris said: "I'm glad it's over, it's been a long campaign, and I am honoured people have put their trust in me. I want to represent the people of Downham effectively.

"There are problems with a lack of investment, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti. This particularly concerns the elderly population and we need to bring in uniformed wardens for the area."

Labour candidate Andrew Tucker said: "We are obviously disappointed, we put a lot of effort into the campaign and thought we could hold the seat. It is still a Labour council and mayor and we will continue to work for the people of Lewisham."

BNP candidate Mary Culnane, who did not attend the count, took 20 per cent of the vote increasing her party's share by 3.4 per cent from the last Downham election on May 2.

A spokesman for the Lewisham Anti-Racist Action Group, which organised the protest against the BNP, said: "They should not be allowed to spread their racism. They are fascists and this underlies all their beliefs. We will follow them wherever they go."

A BNP spokesperson said: "We are very well satisfied with the result and we humiliated the Conservatives out of sight."

The Liberal Democrats now hold five seats out of 54 on Lewisham Council compared to Labour's majority of 43.

RESULTS OF VOTE

Turnout

26.9 per cent (2,586 votes)

Mark Morris

Liberal Democrats: 998 votes (38.6 per cent)

Andrew Tucker

Labour: 769 votes (29.7 per cent)

Mary Culnane

BNP: 519 votes (20 per cent)

Raymond Woolford

Conservative: 259 votes (10 per cent)

Jean Kysow

Socialist Alliance: 41 votes (1.7 per cent)