TORY Desmond Swayne retained New Forest West with a massive increase in his majority.

On the night that Labour secured an historic third term in office, the true-blue New Forest stayed loyal to the Tories, who won both seats in the district.

In New Forest East Conservative Dr Julian Lewis fended off a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrats.

The two newly-elected MPs congratulated each other shortly after their results were announced at Applemore Recreation Centre, near Hythe.

Mr Swayne's smile grew broader as the night wore on and the pile of Conservative votes grew ever larger. In the end his majority was 17,285, compared with 13,191 in 2001. Speaking moments after his result was declared, he said he was "proud and surprised" to have been returned with such a large majority.

He added: "The issues in the next Parliament will be the same ones that we identified during the campaign - controlled immigration, more police, cleaner hospitals and discipline in schools."

Turning to the national picture he said: "The results have not gone as I would have wished.

"I honestly believed that the Conservatives were going to win. We have done very well in the south but I'm disappointed with the national situation and had hoped we would do better."

The runner up was Liberal Democrat candidate Murari Kaushik, who was standing as a general election candidate for the first time.

Third place went to Labour candidate Janice Hurne, who referred to her party's third term in office and added: "That's got to be an enormous positive situation for everyone in the New Forest.

UKIP candidate Brian Lawrence thanked everyone who voted for him and added: "Don't think you have wasted your vote. In 15 years' time, when Europe finally crumbles, who can say to your children and grandchildren: 'I tried to save our country.'"

The Green Party was represented by Janet Richards, who polled more than 1,800 votes. She said: "What tonight's result represents is a good solid foundation on which our support for the future can grow.

New Forest West

Desmond Swayne(Con) 26,004

Murai Kaushik (Lib-Dem) 8,719

Janice Hurne (Labour) 7,590

Brian Lawrence (UKIP) 1,917

Janet Richards (Green) 1,837

Majority 17,285 - Hold

New Forest East

Julian Lewis (Con) 21,975

Brian Dash (Lib-Dem) 15,424

Stephen Rhodes (Labour) 5,492

Katy Davis (UKIP) 2,344

Majority - 6,551, Hold