CONSERVATIVE support in the Richmond constituency stayed strong with the election of new candidate Rishi Sunak - but with a reduced majority most of which was taken by Ukip.

The conservative candidate, a millionaire businessman from Hampshire, admitted he had “big boots to fill” following in the footsteps of retiring MP William Hague.

At the last election the former Foreign Secretary secured the biggest majority in the country, 23,000 votes, but this time even Conservative supporters predicted they could lose 50 per cent of the majority.

However Mr Sunak won a resounding victory by 19,550 votes.

At the count in Hambleton Leisure Centre, Northallerton, he was accused of being “disrespectful” by opposition supporters after failing to turn up for nearly eight hours, arriving only an hour before the declaration.

He said he knew it was going to be a long count, adding: “I didn’t want to distract people, I wanted to let people get on with their work.

“People have been very warm and welcoming, I will carry on working hard to get to grips with the issues and try to make a difference to people's lives.”

He said he wanted to concentrate on health, improving mobile and broadband services and helping businesses.

Ukip candidate Matthew Cooke, who came second with 8,194 votes said he was “very happy” with the result which showed what an impact they had made in the constituency particularly with the farming community who had grave doubts about the European agricultural policies and at Catterick Garrison where their support for the military was popular.

The Lib Dems, who came second at the last election had to settle for fourth place. Candidate John Harris said:”We have been sacrificed because we were prepared to work for the good of the country.”

Independent Dales councillor John Blackie, with 3,348 votes, came ahead of the Green Leslie Rowe with 2,313 votes. Former conservative Robin Scott who stood as an independent was the only candidate to lose his deposit with 1,811 votes.