Despite the turnout being low at only 28.73 per cent, she polled 2,486 votes, nearly 1,800 more than her nearest rival Craig Fotheringham of the Conservatives who took 698 votes.

Charles Goodall of the Liberal Democrats came third with 439 votes.

Speaking immediately after the count at Angus House in Forfar, Mrs Lee said she was delighted with the result and would like to thank everybody that her supported her campaign.

She told the Guide and Gazette: "I'm quite elated that I have won and the amount of votes polled for the SNP is quite immense.

"I would like to thank everybody who has supported me, especially the people that came out and voted."

Mrs Lee believes the result shows the support for the SNP in Angus and the high regard for Frank Ellis, who held the seat until his death in April.

She said: "The result is a testament to Frank's memory and the SNP victory shows how the people of Monifieth and Sidlaw held him in such high regard.

"I think it also shows how the people of Angus would like the SNP to have more control at Angus Council.

"However, both of the other candidates have been very gracious in defeat and throughout the campaign, and both have congratulated me."

Mrs Lee says there are several issues she would like to start to work on straight away to help the people of Monifieth and Sidlaw.

She added: "There are many issues across the board that I would like to draw attention to and I'm ready to get started on working on them for the people of Monifieth and Sidlaw."

Leader of the SNP in Angus Helen Oswald also told the Guide and Gazette how much of an achievement the result was for the party.

She said: "We were confident that we could take this seat and I am obviously delighted with the result.

"I think the victory is a testament to Frank Ellis and shows the strength of the party at both a local and national level."

Councillor Oswald also said she was looking forward to working with Jean Lee and says she will be excellent at serving the people of Monifieth and Sidlaw.

She added: "I can't wait to get started working with Jean and I know she will be an excellent councillor for the people of Monifieth and Sidlaw.

"She has very strong links to the area so I know she will be on the ball with the issues facing the people of the town."

The votes were counted using proportional representation meaning electors could either vote for one candidate or rank them in order of their preference.

There were 3657 ballot papers issued at polling stations with 34 votes rejected, the majority of them for not making it clear their first preference vote.

Only eight were deemed to be void for being unmarked.