Victorious Lib Dem Paul Burstow was congratulated by his wife Mary and supporters after winning the Sutton and Cheam seat for the fifth time.

The mood before the count was announced was tense, with both Mr Burstow and Conservative Philippa Stroud looking neck and neck.

But the final result threw Mr Burstow ahead by 1608 votes.

In his acceptance speech he thanked his supporters.

He said: “I would like to thank the people of Sutton and Cheam for placing their trust in me again and giving me the biggest vote the Lib Dem's have ever had in Sutton and Cheam.”

Speaking to the Sutton Guardian after his speech he said he would shortly be on the phone to party leader Nick Clegg to discuss the results coming in.

He said he had also been texting colleagues throughout the night to see how they had fared.

He said: “It seems we will have a very different Parliament from the one we have had for the last 13 years. For the first time we are going to have to listen to each other and work together.

“The turnout has been incredibly high. It is a testament to how both parties have worked their socks off today and galvanised exceptional turn out.”

Voter turnout in Sutton and Cheam was 48,678 out of 66,658 registered voters; a 73 per cent turn out.