CONSERVATIVE Caroline Nokes has increased her majority in Romsey and Southampton North.

The candidate gained a further 334 votes in an election she was always expected to win.

However, few expected Ms Nokes to increase her majority.

“We are all very pleased with the result,” she said.

“We ran a very positive campaign focusing on my track record in the constituency.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who voted for me and putting their trust in me. I have always put the people first.”

She added: “I love Romsey and it is a privilege to represent it in parliament and I am happy to be able to do so again.”

Fellow candidate Catherine Royce, Liberal Democrat, came in second, 1,008 votes ahead of Labour member Darren Paffey in third.

“I was a great turnout,” said the Lib Dem.

“It shows that democracy is alive and well in the constituency.

“We made a small gain and I am very happy about that; thank you to my team.”

Mr Paffey added: “The result is one I am very pleased with.

“We (as a party) have done our best to put together, what I think, is a radical but responsible manifesto and that is gaining more support than we have had in a long time.”

Green member Ian Callaghan came in fourth, behind Justice and Anti-Corruption Party leader Don Jerrard – who did not attend the result.

Caroline Nokes (Conservative)     28668 (57%)

Catherine Royce (Lib Dem)           10622 (21%)

Darren Paffey (Labour)                  9614 (19%)

Ian Callaghan (Green Party)         953 (1.9%)

Don Jerrard (JAC Party)                 271 (0.5%)

Conservative hold

Turnout 74.78 per cent