ANNE Marie Morris has held the Newton Abbot seat for the Conservatives with an increased majority.

When the result was declared at 5.45am this morning (Friday) her share of the vote was 22,794, up from 20,774 in 2010.

Richard Younger-Ross, Liberal Democrat, saw his count fall from 20,251 to 11,506.

UKIP's Rod Peers came third with 6,726, more than double the 2010 figure of 3,088.

Roy Freer took Labour's share of the vote from 3,387 to 4,736 while the Green's Steven Smyth-Bonfield increased his party's tally to 2,216, up from 701 in 2010.

Sean Brogan of the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition registered 221 votes.

Speaking tearfully after being named the winner Mrs Morris said: 'I will do my level best to continue to make Teignbridge an even better place to live, work and to bring up a family.'