Nadine Dorries easily retained her seat for the Conservatives in Mid Beds with a thumping majority of over 15,000. The result was announced earlier than expected at the Leisure Centre in Dunstable. Ms Dorries polled 28,815 votes with Linda Jack of the Lib

Nadine Dorries easily retained her seat for the Conservatives in Mid Beds with a thumping majority of over 15,000.

The result was announced earlier than expected at the Leisure Centre in Dunstable.

Ms Dorries polled 28,815 votes with Linda Jack of the Lib Dems runner up with 13,608 and Labour candidate David Reeves in third place with

8,108 votes.

"I am delighted to be returning to Westminster to represent the people of Mid Bedfordshire," said Ms Dorries.

"The Conservative MPs of Bedfordshire work very hard for the county's people in Westminster and I am looking forward to returning to Parliament to work hard for them again."

On the possibility of a hung Parliament Ms Dorries added: "I now believe we will have the majority we need to form a Government but it will be very slim majority, perhaps in single figures.