Richard Drax celebrated an easy victory as he held on to his South Dorset seat.

The result was announced shortly after 4am on Friday morning. 

Mr Drax won with 30,024 votes - a gain of 889 since the 2017 result. 

Meanwhile, Labour candidate Carrolyn Parkes took 12,871 votes - down 4,569 since Labour candidate Tashi Warr stood in 2017.

Liberal Democrat candidate Nick Ireland won 5,432 votes, Jon Orrell for the Green Party had 2,246 votes and Independent Joseph Green won 485 votes.

Mr Drax said: "It really is a huge honour to serve. There is a lot to be getting on with - there is Brexit, and once that's done we can get back on to the important domestic issues."

The result came after exit polls predicted a landslide victory for the Conservative Party.

Carralyn Parkes, Labour candidate, said: 'My reaction to the result tonight is that it's been a long and comradely campaign. We have met lots and lots of new friends - our friends are people who care about the NHS, they care about schools, they care about housing, they care about jobs, they care about a better and brighter future for our country."

The Labour candidate also congratulated Mr Drax on his victory and added how she hopes he 'takes good care' of the constituency. "We will be watching," she said.

Green candidate Jon Orrell said: "It seems we re-run the Brexit referendum in south Dorset. 60 per cent for Brexit and 60 per cent tonight. Sadly the needs of the planet, our schools and our NHS have been forgotten."