The Prime Minister after much anticipation yesterday revealed the date of the 2024 general election - but how did the North East vote in the last one in 2019? Take a look at our map.

July 4 - write that date down, as it's now confirmed to be the day the UK will take to the polls for the 2024 general election.

Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the date yesterday in a rain-soaked suit from outside number 10 Downing Street yesterday (May 22) after a day of speculation by journalists and social media hinted the news was upon us.

Announcing the election, the Prime Minister said: "The king has granted the dissolution of parliament, and the election will be on 4 July.

"This election will take place at time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War."

These “uncertain times” call for a “clear plan”, he said.

A July election is earlier than many in Westminster had expected, with a contest in October or November widely thought to have been more likely.

In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak said: “This election will take place at time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”

Here's a refresher on how the region voted in 2019 - take a look at our interactive map here:

The December 2019 election dealt some wild cards in the region as Conservatives MP Jill Mortimer secured an unexpected victory in Hartlepool in a later by election and Ian Levy triumphed in Blyth Valley. 

Campaigns for all parties have begun as of today (May 23) with the Labour Party visiting a town in Kent and the Conservatives taking a trip to Cheltenham.

MPs in the North East yesterday reacted to the news of the election with a mixture of surprise and disappointment, with Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland, Dehenna Davison, stating on social media that she believed her teams had more time.

She said: "I think my team and I were prepared for Autumn, so emotionally this is a lot to digest.

"We had so much more to do and thought we had a little more time. Alas. The brilliant causes we have been working on we will continue to support from beyond Parliament.

"Being an MP has been bloody hard, but it has also been the greatest honour of my life, and I remain ever grateful to those across the Bishop Auckland constituency who put their faith in me.

"I regret that I haven’t been able to deliver all that I hoped to - particularly bringing A&E services back to Bishop Auckland Hospital. But I will support my successor, of whatever Party, to ensure local healthcare is improved to the level that local residents deserve.

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"For the next few weeks, we will be trying to wrap up as much as we can, and helping as many more constituents as possible until July 4."

Mary Kelly Foy, the Labour MP for the City of Durham, initially reacted to the news through a short message and an image of her wearing a Labour hoodie.

She wrote: "It's time. #Labour2024."