The video will start in 8 Cancel

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Scotland's most deprived area has voted in a Tory councillor in the local election for the first time.

Conservatives' John McIntyre has been elected to represent Paisley's Ferguslie Park. It was announced at Paisley's Lagoon Leisure Centre this morning.

Mr McIntyre said: “I think it shows the broaden appeal of what the Conservative and Unionist Party have to offer.

“We found that people on the doorstep were prepared to listen to what we had to say and they clearly liked it.

“I will represent everyone in my ward, regardless of how they voted. I look forward to making a difference in the community. ”

(Image: Jeff Holmes)

He will take a seat alongside Labour's Karen Kennedy and the returned Kenny and Mags MacLaren from the SNP on the Paisley North West ward.

A Scottish Government report put Ferguslie Park top of the table of almost 7,000 hot-spots, marking it the most poverty-stricken in the country.

Experts warned that many living in the scheme are living below the breadline and will die younger, struggle at school and have less chance of finding well-paid work.

The centre-right party have also won a seat in Shettleston in the east end of Glasgow – one of the poorest areas in the country.

Voters expressed their shock at the news on social media .

The surprising results are part of a wider Tory surge across the country as the party reach parts of Scotland which were once no-go zones.

The party sprang their first surprise result of the day in Fife as candidate Mino Marekshaw pushed the SNP's Kate Stewart into third place.

All three Conservative councillors standing in competitive South Ayrshire have also won seats.

Meanwhile the SNP are expected to further squeeze the Labour vote in their traditional heartlands such as Glasgow.

A total of 1,227 councillors will be elected across the country's 32 local authorities, with more than 2,500 candidates putting themselves forward.