SHADOW home secretary Oliver Letwin, considered one of the success stories of Iain Duncan Smith's reign, managed to hold on to his rural seat.

Mr Letwin MP retained his Dorset West seat with 24,763 votes and an increased majority of 2,461 (4.62 per cent).

The Lib Dems' Justine McGuinness polled 22,302 votes, Labour's Dave Roberts received 4,124, Linda Guest, of UKIP, 1,084, the Greens' Susan Greene 952.

Mr Letwin said his party fought a campaign about "issues that matter".

"The Conservative Party is a party the that is making advances towards the kind of Britain that people want to see"

He added: "They (the electorate) believe that the time has come for a change in direction by a government that actually delivers the promises that it makes.

"The Conservative party has fought a campaign about the issues that matter to the people."

The turnout, 76.29 per cent, was one of the highest in the country.

West Dorset

Oliver Letwin (Con) 24,763

Justine McGuiness (Lib-Dem) 22,302

Dave Roberts (Lab) 4,124

Linda Guest UKIP 1,084

Susan Greene (Green)

Majority 2,461 - Hold