Public Services Association last night.

Mrs. Christopher edged out reigning president Leleath Bailey by 28 votes after a three-hour vote count in the union's third biennial general election.

More than 1,000 of the BPSA's 2,500 members turned up to vote and there were screams of joy from Mrs. Christopher's supporters when the result finally came through at 10.15 p.m.

The polls had been closed at 7.15 p.m.

But Mrs. Christopher, who lost in the 1996 election by 60 votes, was declared the winner after more than 20 years on the BPSA's executive committee.

After the nail-biting count, she said: "I feel jubilant and excited.

"You never know if you are going to win but I had a good team backing me and we worked very hard.

"I thank the hard work of the team and now I know I can put the right team in place for the union.

"Our first job will be to do some strategic planning, work out some programmes to get the membership involved and improve our communications.'' Mrs. Bailey, President for the last two years, was unavailable for comment after last night's count.

But Mrs. Christopher said: "I wish Sister Bailey all the best and I'm sure she will continue to be involved in the union in some way.'' Mrs. Christopher polled 534 votes to her opponent's 506 -- which meant at least 300 more members turned up for this year's poll.

Rita Smith was elected to the post of Assistant Recording Secretary, beating Janet Burrows by 519 votes to 474.

The positions of Secretary, Treasurer, First, Second and Third Vice-President were uncontested.