THE Labour party were celebrating in Blackpool as Gordon Marsden and Joan Humble were relected MPs for Blackpool South, and Blackpool North & Fleetwood, respectively.

In both areas, just over 50 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote in the general election.

Labour MP Gordon Marsden learned of his re-election at around 2.15am, as it was announced he had received 21,060 votes - more than 8000 votes ahead of the Conservative candidate David Morris, who received 12,798 votes. Valerie Cowell of the UK Independence Party received 819 votes, while Liberal Democrat Doreen Holt got 4,115 votes.

A delighted Gordon Marsden said he had not anticipated his win. "It's never expected - you never take the electorate for granted," he said.

Referring to the Labour hold of the seat, he told his supporters: "It is a tremendous vindication of the Labour government, and of all the hard work the Labour party has put in here in Blackpool over the last four years."

He said he would continue to fight for all of his constituents regardless of party, and added: "We need in Blackpool to birng all the sectors of the community together."

Conservative candidate for Blackpool South, David Morris, thanked his team and those who had voted for him, but said that voter apathy was a big worry.

"I'm not disappointed for myself. I think I have done a good campaign," he said. "I think it was a bad day for democracy nationally. It's a wake up call for politicians to start thinking about the people first.

"I think when you have got a 55 per cent turnout nationally that just shows you that people are getting tired of political rhetoric."

The result for the Blackpool North & Fleetwood seat was announced minutes later at around 2.35am.

Labour candidate Joan Humble was relected with 21,610 votes, with Conservative opponent, Alan Vincent gaining 15,889 votes. Liberal Democrat Steven Bate received 4,132 votes, with the UK Independence Party candidate John Porter receiving 950 votes.

Joan Humble told The Citizen: "I feel totally elated - wonderfully pleased. It's been a long, hard fought campaign. It's a sign that the people of Blackpool North and Fleetwood have valued the work that I have done as an MP but also the work that the Labour government has done in delivering its promises."

She added that Fleetwood's fishing industry would be one of the many local issues coming under the spotlight in the weeks to come.

For Conservative Alan Vincent, hopes of a swing to the blue were dashed, but he did not rule out standing for the seat again at the next general election. After hearing the result, he admitted a massive Labour success nationally was looking likely.

"I'm disappointed for the team of people that have helped me so much," he said. "I am most disappointed for the country in that the electorate appears to be completeley switched off."

He added that voter apathy was being encouraged by top politicians deliberately making politics 'boring'.