FOR 31 years he has been a serving MP - now Peter Viggers has secured himself at least another four years and increased his majority.

Election veteran Mr Viggers snapped up Gosport once again with a majority of 5,730, up from 2,621 in 2001, and ensured the town remains a Conservative stronghold.

Overall he received 19,268 of the total votes while his nearest rival, Labour's Richard Williams received 13,538.

Of the 70,289 eligible voters in Gosport, 43,034 people made their mark or 61.56 per cent, up from the 57.32 in the 2001 general election.

Welcoming his re-election, 67-year-old Mr Viggers, said it had been a long day for all the candidates.

"I have enjoyed much of the dialogue in this campaign," he said. As a local man I commit myself to the people of Gosport. I can tell you on the figures from the last election that I was elected by 26 per cent. I'll never forget the other 74 per cent and I will do my best for all of you in the future."

Mr Viggers, a father of three, has been a vocal backbencher and thrown his weight behind a campaign to save Gosport's Haslar Hospital.

It was this same issue that runner-up, Richard Williams was willing to stake his political career on.

In the run-up to election day, he controversially published material stating that if selected, he would secure the future of Haslar Hospital.

His defeat came as a stinging blow for the Labour group. Close to tears he said: "I am of course very disappointed. But we do live in a democracy and the people have spoken in favour of Peter. I am just glad the we are heading into a new government with the Labour Party at the helm."

The Conservatives increased their lead over Labour in Gosport by 3,109 votes. Running for the first time in the town, the Green Party secured 1,258 votes.

Their candidate, Andrea Harte Smith, said she was delighted with the result.

"This is the first time we have contested and I am particularly pleased with the outcome. I am looking forward to contesting many more elections in Gosport," said the 39-year-old.

The increasing popularity of postal voting was on show in Gosport with the number of people opting for it increasing from 3,081 in 2001 to 5,857 this time round. The postal votes were first to be tallied up in the hall of Bridgemary School, Wych Lane, Gosport.

At one point vote counting had to stop because the school hall was overheating and staff were struggling to concentrate.

But when the final results were revealed there were few cheers from the small crowd, with many believing Mr Viggers' election to be a foregone conclusion.

He has served as MP for Gosport since the constituency was formed 32 years ago.

And he told the Daily Echo he would continue fighting for Haslar Hospital and the prevention of HMS Daedalus being converted into an asylum centre.