JUBILANT supporters celebrated as John C Bidgood held the Bury and Radcliffe Parliamentary seat in the general election.

For the second time, Mr Bidgood MP increased the Conservative lead, polling 28,623 votes with a majority of 3,908.

When he succeeded Sir Walter Fletcher in 1955, he lifted the 1951 majority from 1,891 to 3,749.

The election attracted great interest, with 82.35 per cent of electors voting.

The result was announced at Bury Drill Hall by the Mayor of Bury, who was joined on the platform by the Mayor of Radcliffe, Alderman J M Murphy.

After the count, Mr Bidgood was lifted shoulder high and “chaired” 200 yards from the Drill Hall to Bury Athaneum Hall.

More than 400 supporters had gathered there to greet him and, as he entered, they stood and gave him a loud ovation.

In a brief speech, Mr Bidgood thanked them for their support in the election campaign.

The reception for Mr RP Walsh, the defeated Labour candidate, was a subdued affair held at the Casino Ballroom.

After the declaration of the poll, both candidates complimented each other on a “clean fight”.