CONSERVATIVE candidate Grant Shapps confirmed his status as the pre-election favourite by romping to victory in the race to become MP for Welwyn Hatfield.

The Conservative candidate snatched the seat from the fragile grasp of previous incumbent Melanie Johnson with a majority of 5,946.

A total of 22,172 people voted for the man who has proved popular among local residents for his vigorous campaigning on local issues. The room erupted in applause as Mr Shapps was confirmed as the new Welwyn Hatfield MP.

Speaking after his victory he said: "I would like to thank my agent and my incredibly hard working team and Conservative association. This election has a great deal of national resonance it's been a long time since a Conservative candidate has fought their campaign on NHS issues.

"The Prime Minister has been telling us that millions are going to into the NHS but our children's accident and emergency services in Welwyn Garden City are set to close, eye surgery is set to go and so are orthopaedics."

Miss Johnson, the third Labour minister to lose their seat at the time of going to press, was stony faced as the results were read out. Speaking about her defeat, she said: "It is certainly the case here that the best team didn't win. I am suprised to hear what the winner had to say about hospitals, coming from a party that cut NHS funding."

Miss Johnson, who said she had "thoroughly enjoyed" her time as Welwyn Hatfield MP, was greeted by heckling from Conservative supporters. Her showing of just 16,226 votes - around 4,000 less than in 2001 painted a picture of an electorate dismayed at her lack of local presence.

Liberal Democrat candidate Sara Bedford, who polled 6,318 votes, was upbeat about her performance.

She said: "I think we have done extremely well to hold up here. A lot of people are very angry about public services being run down and about not being able to trust the Government."