LABOUR have retained their seat in the South Ribble constituency with a 3,802 majority after a 68 per cent turnout.

David Borrow was returned to Parliament with 21,386 votes in one of the key marginal seats in the North West.

It was a huge relief for Mr Borrow as many had predicted that the seat could have fallen back to the Conservatives.

The Tories had held the seat since the constituency was created in 1983 until the last general election in 1997.

Mr Borrow joined the Labour Party in 1969. As a local man he has lived in Preston since 1975 where he was the council leader before being elected to Parliament.

In his victory speech he felt he had now arrived as an MP. He said: "When I was elected the last time people told me that you don't feel like a real MP until you get elected for a second term. I feel that very strongly now."

He added: "I am very proud tonight and look forward to serving South Ribble for a second time."

RESULTS:

David Borrow (Lab) 21,386,

Adrian Owens (Cons) 17,584,

Mark Alcock (Lib Dem) 7,150