The local SNP group are looking ahead to next year's council elections after a "disappointing" result.

Gail Robertson lost by a 109 margin to Labour's Jackie Baillie – the closest result in the country.

However, the SNP say sampled ballots from Dumbarton and the Vale showed "a clear victory for the SNP", and have now turned their focus to taking over West Dunbartonshire Council in 2017.

Candidate Gail Robertson, a councillor for Leven ward, said the result has "strengthened the SNP's position locally", and said the close result was "a major achievement".

She told the Reporter: "My Labour opponent is now clinging on to the narrowest majority in the Parliament, which can't really be much cause for celebration.

"I am proud to have been a candidate for my party, our local community and of the positive campaign we delivered. My outstanding team of volunteers put their heart and soul into the campaign and their enthusiasm and fun took our message to every part of the constituency.

"They all deserve a medal for their efforts and I can’t thank them enough."

She thanked the voters, particularly those who had voted SNP, adding: "Whilst it may not have been enough to see us triumph this time it is still a result to be proud of."

"Looking forward this result has strengthened the SNP’s position locally and gives us a good platform to move forward to the council elections in 2017."

West Dunbartonshire's MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, who was elected last year in a shock swing vote from Labour to the SNP, said the results for the region were "a little bitter sweet", with Gil Paterson extending his majority, and Ms Robertson coming a very close second.

He said the members and activists could "be very proud" of the campaigns, and added: "We will be out in force again for the council elections next year."

Cllr Jonathan McColl, leader of the council's SNP group, said Ms Baillie would be given "a real fright" with the close vote.

He added the sampling of votes show Dumbarton and the Vale voted in "huge numbers" for the SNP, and looked ahead to next year's election. He said if the vote numbers are "replicated" Labour will be put out of the administration.

Immediately after the result was announced, Ms Baillie said she would work hard to represent the area, and thanked people for voting for her.

Ms Baillie has said her main priority is the Vale of Leven Hospital, promising to "work her socks off" for the local communities.

She polled the highest number of votes for Scottish Labour in Dumbarton since the first elections in 1999, she also polled the highest percentage of votes of any Labour candidate in the country.

Ms Baillie told the Reporter: "It is a real privilege to represent our communities in the Scottish Parliament and I am both delighted and humbled that local people have decided to place their trust in me again. I will work my socks off for this constituency and I will not let you down.

"I am thankful to each and every person who voted for me but I will represent everyone in Dumbarton Constituency regardless of which party they supported on Thursday. I promised to put the people who live in this area first and that's exactly what I will do as your MSP."

She said her first priority was the Vale of Leven Hospital, adding: "The people of Dumbarton have given me a clear mandate to fight the cuts and I look forward to meeting the next Health Secretary to discuss the future of the Vale of Leven Hospital as soon as possible."

Maurice Corry, who increased his share of the vote since he ran last year for Westminster, has now been elected on the list system.

He was ranked at four on the Tory West of Scotland candidate list, and with a constituency win for Jackson Carlaw, Mr Corry was the third of three Tory candidates to be elected.

His party is now the official opposition in Scotland for the first time.

He told the Reporter it was "a shock" to get elected, but was looking forward to getting stuck in. His priorities remain to secure services at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

He added: "I'm delighted to see Jackie Baillie re-elected and that after such a tough campaign Jackie's experience and skills won through."

Jackie Baillie MSP called for cross-party working throughout the campaign to get re-elected, and Mr Corry said this is "absolutely" something he is willing to work together on.