The Tories stormed to victory in both the St Albans and Hitchin and Harpenden constituencies last night.

Supporters cheered as Anne Main was declared St Albans MP at around 5.30am with a massive majority of 25,392, with Labour’s Kerry Pollard polling around half that with 12,660.

Liberal Democrat’s Sandy Walkington came in third with 10,076, followed by UKIP’s Chris Wright with 4,271 and Jack Easton of the Green Party picking up 2,034 votes.

Reacting to the result, Mrs Main said: "I would just like to say thank you very much for all the support and thanks to those who have made this a real victory for us.

"I’m pleased to say that I will continue with my promise to serve everybody in St Albans. I am 100 per cent your MP.

"I don’t have a second job, I don’t intend to have one and I hope I can serve you to the best of my abilities.

"It’s been a good campaign, good humoured and I hope we can prove we put forward a very positive view for the electorate.

"I would also like to thank my other candidates, it’s been a very good natured friendly campaign."

Mr Walkington said he was he was "personally disappointed" and disappointed with the parties performance on a national level, as the Liberal Democrats are expected to finish with eight MPs – the worst defeat in the party’s history.

Kerry Pollard, who was fighting his fifth campaign, thanked voters and said: "There is no better job than politics. I’ll be back."

Peter Lilley comfortably held onto Hitchin and Harpenden with 31,488 votes - an increased majority and share of the vote.

Rachel Burgin (Labour) came in second place with 11,433 and John Stocker of UKIP was third with 4,917 narrowly beating Liberal Democrat Pauline Pearce with 4,484.

The Green Party’s Richard Wise picked up just 3,053. Neither Mrs Pearce nor Mr Wise were at the count.

 

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

The count took place at Batchwood Sports Centre in Batchwood Drive.

 

Mr Lilley, who seen at Batchwood nightclub before the count, thanked the other candidates for fighting one of the most "honest, positive and agreeable campaigns’" and said it had been a momentous night.

He addedd: "Most of all I want to thank the electors for again giving me the privilege of representing them, it’s a huge privilege and a very enjoyable one.

"I am grateful to them for reflecting me with a greater majority. I count it a great honour and I aim to be independent minded and be a strong voice for the constituency"

Candidates from both constituencies said voters had raised issues including the rail freight terminal in Park Street, the protection of Green Belt land, the state of St Albans Hospital and school places.

The turnout in the St Albans parliamentary seat was 72 per cent, and in Hitchin and Harpenden it was 69 per cent.

Tories are celebrating elsewhere after it was announced David Cameron is returning to Downing Street as Prime Minister in the wake of a shock election, which has seen UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg step down.

At 11.20am, the Tories were on course to win 331 seats - giving them a surprise five-seat majority. Labour is expected to finish with just 232 MPs, down 24, with the Lib Dems on eigh.

To relive the election counts from around south west Hertfordshire as they happened, click here.

The Review will update the blog with the district and parish council election results as and when we get them later today.