Tory Tim keeps East Worthing and Shoreham seat

Mr Loughton polled 19,548 votes, with Labour candidate Daniel Yates coming second, Liberal James Doyle coming third, UKIP Richard Jelf in fourth place and Christopher Baldwin for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in fifth place.

Speaking to supporters at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre in the early hours of Friday morning, Mr Loughton said: ""This has been an interesting evening. I am glad the turnout has increased, albeit by a small number of votes, but what I think is really worrying for democracy is a government elected by just 36 per cent of the vote."

Mr Doyle added: "The Liberal Democrats are back. We are back in Adur. We are back in Worthing. We look forward to doing more in the future."

Chris Baldwin: "I would just like to say I am living proof we are living in a great democracy."

The 2005 general election results are:

Christopher Baldwin (Legalise Cannabis Alliance) 677

James Doyle (Liberal Democrats) 10,8444

Richard Jelf (UKIP) 2,109

Tim Loughton (Conservative) 19,548

Daniel Yates (Labour) 11,365

Turnout: 62.8 per cent

All the results, including those from the county council elections, can be found under the News and General Election 2005 drop down headings at the top of this page.