Conservative Charlie Elphicke will serve a second term as your MP in the Deal and Dover constituency.

Mr Elphicke topped the poll with 21,737 votes, increasing his majority to 6,294 from 5,274 five years ago.

Runner up Clair Hawkins (Lab) received 15,443 votes. Ukip’s David Little came in third position with 10,177 votes.

Mr Elphicke said: “I’m fantastically delighted to have had an increased majority, invigorating the trust of the people so I can carry on the work I started in my first term.

“I saw the exit polls and I wasn’t quite sure I could quite believe the exit poll, but it turned out to be correct and accurate.

“It’s a huge honour and I’m just so proud that I’ve been trusted with another term. I’m looking forward to the next five years.”

The result for MP came in just before 5am.

Ms Hawkins, who apologised for not being able to get the support needed for a Labour gain in Dover and Deal, admitted she was disappointed with the result.

She said: “Labour people are awesome and I love you, it’s just a shame there weren’t enough of us this time.

“Of course, I’m disappointed with the result, particularly for the many people who told me I had to win for the sake of their jobs, their NHS, their future.

"I’m disappointed I won’t get to represent the area I was born and brought up, I care about and would loved to have given a voice in Parliament.”

Mr Elphicke said he had been really impressed with Clair Hawkins’ resilience.

“It’s not been easy for her,” he said.

“The Labour party around her have not been as supportive as they should have been and they’ve left her in such a difficult place, but she’s stuck at it. I admire her courage and fortitude in the face of frankly a bunch of people who have behaved disgracefully towards her.”

Mr Elphicke said the campaign was easier than in 2010 as he knew what he had to do and had the backing of his fantastic team.

When asked if he has learnt anything from this election, he said: “Never be complacent, work tirelessly, go out all hours and you’ll do well.”

Mr Elphicke thanked everyone involved in the election, his party workers, volunteers and activists who worked endlessly to deliver a Conservative poll.

Liberal Democrat Sarah Smith, who received only 1,572 votes, said: “There’s no hiding the fact that this has been a crushing night for Liberal Democrats, but I do believe there are a lot of Liberal Democrat hearts beating in Dover and Deal. There was a lot of tactical voting in this election.

“I want to work for local people to build up a party here and show Dover and Deal what Liberal Democrats can really do for this area.”

Ukip’s David Little and Jolyon Trimingham did not speak publicly.

For more on our coverage of the General and Local Elections in Deal and Dover, pick up the East Kent Mercury, out on Thursday.