CHEERS echoed through the hall as Nigel Evans secured a fourth successive election victory with an increased majority.

The atmosphere was one of jubilation as High Sheriff Dennis Mendoros announced the result at Roefield Leisure Centre, Clitheroe.

By the Conservative MP’s own admission, the 26,298 votes polled was the ‘height’ of his expectations as he tightened his grip on the Ribble Valley seat he has held since 1992.

However, the biggest surprise of the night came from the Labour camp as Paul Foster polled 11,529 votes knocking the Lib Dems from second place.

Mr Foster congratulated Mr Evans and basked in the glory of victory over the Lib Dems.

He said: “The Labour Party was always going to be up against it but now we are clearly the second party in the Ribble Valley and I hope this signals to the future of the Labour Party in the Ribble Valley.”

Mr Evans, who lives in Pendleton, said he had been humbled by the support he had received and vowed to continue to highlight the issues that were important to the people of the valley.

He said: “I am ecstatic because I did not think for a single second we would get the majority we did and I am overjoyed by the faith that the people of the Ribble Valley have shown in me.

“I think the Lib Dem result has shown that this has been a victory of people over propaganda as the Lib Dem’s leaflets said they were the only ones who could beat the Conservatives but the people did not want them to beat us.

"They can’t hoodwink the electorate.

“Also their policies are bonkers especially the policy locally about the Eurofighter contracts which would have effected so many jobs across the constituency.”

Discussing the possibility of a hung parliament, Mr Evans said: “I hope as the night progresses David Cameron makes the gains that he needs and is given the chance to become Prime Minister.”

He added: “This is the first election since my mum died and I know she has been standing next to me throughout this campaign. I feel humbled by the support that has been shown in me by the people of the Ribble Valley.”

And he ruled out the possibility of a ministerial post in any new Conservative government, saying that representing the people of Ribble Valley was 'a full-time job'.

He said: “It is sufficient for me to serve the people of my constituency as they have shown such faith in me.”

Speaking about his future plans, Mr Evans said: “I think the economy is the most important thing at the moment and in this constituency it is vital that we support small to medium businesses. I hope that I will represent them to the best of my ability.”

Lib Dem Allan Knox said he was disappointed by the result and blamed it on boundary changes which saw Bamber Bridge brought into the constituency.

He said: “The changes obviously did not help us and we also may have lost a few votes from people who were misinformed about our plans for the Eurofighter but this is only a slight setback.”

UKIP candidate Steve Rush polled 3,496 votes, but first-time independent candidate Tony Johnson lost his £500 deposit after coming in last with 232 votes.

Analysis

THERE was never any doubt that Nigel Evans would stride to victory again in the Ribble Valley, a rock solid Conservative seat.

But boundary changes meant he lost a swathe of normally true blue voters living nearer Preston than Clitheroe and gained others formerly in South Ribble who were traditionally more friendly to Labour.

The result proved that with Labour overtaking the Lib Dems for the second spot.

But Nigel Evans’ stormed back for a fourth term with both more votes and a majority up by almost 600.