CONSERVATIVE David Lidington predicted he would hold onto the Aylesbury seat, and was true to his word.

Mr Lidington said he expected Liberal Democrats candidate Peter Jones to be his nearest opponent when he arrived at last night's count at Aylesbury Civic Hall.

The Tory candidate said: "I am confident and I expect to be elected but for my majority to decrease. I expect Peter Jones to be my closest rival."

However during the night Mr Jones did not share Mr Lidington's optimism.

He said: "It is looking grim. I have not seen a single ballot paper with my name on it."

The result was announced at 4.20am that Lidington had won.

He said: "It is a privilege to be elected."

As the first poll to be called in Sunderland East was announced at 10.45pm yesterday, ballot boxes were still arriving at the count.

Returning officer Richard Carr said he expected the result to be made at about 4.30am after counting finally got underway at 2.30am.

Aylesbury has a history of late calls with David Lidington announced the winner in 2001 at nearly 5am.

Mr Lidington, with a majority of 10,009, was aiming to keep hold of the seat he has made his own for the last 13 years.

But the Labour candidate Mohammed Khaliel had been in bullish mood with his party expected to remain in Government.

He said: "I am very confident. It is not just one battle. It is a war.

"If we win the war then I feel we have won. If we get Chequers (the Prime Minister's country retreat in the Aylesbury constituency) then I can go in and David can wait outside."

UKIP's Christopher Adams was one of the first to arrive at the count.

He said: "I am not sure what to expect. We have done very well on our campaign and seemed to have lots of support."

DAVID LIDINGTON (Con) 25,254

PETER JONES (L-D) 14,187

MOHAMMED KHALIEL (Lab) 9,540

CHRISTOPHER ADAMS (UKIP) 2,479