ON a night when the Conservative party looks to have fallen short on expectation when calling the election, one New Forest MP celebrated an increased majority.

Dr Julian Lewis, who has been the New Forest East MP since 1997, staved off competition from Labour, the Green Party and a well-known New Forest Liberal Democrat to win the seat with 32, 162 votes.

A gain of seven per cent, Dr Lewis thanked his campaign team on a night when Conservative uncertainty reigned.

He said: "We have campaigned very hard, and we have increased our popularity from two years ago.

"I am thrilled with the result, but the picture of the night isn't clear.

"As an academic, I don't like to speculate.

"It's nice to know I am still popular with the people who live in this lovely part of the country."

The Conservative won the seat against Labour's Julie Renyard who received 10,167 votes and Green Party candidate Henry Mellor, who won 1,251 votes.

Hampshire County Councillor for Totton South, David Harrison placed third with 7,786 votes on a night when his party looked to make marginal gains.

FULL RESULTS: 

Conservative, Dr Julian Lewis, 32, 162

Liberal Democrat, David Harrison, 7,786

Green Party, Henry Mellor, 1,251

Labour, Julie Renyard, 10,167

Turnout: 70.93%, with 51,493 votes cast, and 127 spoilt papers.