LABOUR's chief whip Hilary Armstrong has held on to the Durham North-West seat with a majority of 13,443 votes.

The MP polled 21,312 votes, Liberal Democrat Alan Ord received 7,869 votes, Conservative Jamie Devlin 6,463 and Independent Watts Stelling 3,865.

Ms Armstrong, who was first elected in 1987, said: "I am thrilled and privileged that the people of North-West Durham have continued to put their trust in me.

"I never take a single vote for granted. I know that we haven't done everything that people wanted us to do, but I do know that people in the constituency have seen the difference we have made through the minimum wage, tax credits, the investment in schools and the improvement in health services. All that has come from a stable economy.

"They are also telling me that there is a lot more to do, so I relish the opportunity to do more."

On overall results, she said: "It is still a remarkable majority.

"For a Prime Minister to get a third term like this is absolutely unique."

North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones retained his seat with a majority of 16,781. But the 41-year-old, whose majority in 2001 was 18,683, lost almost 2,000 votes to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. He secured 23,932 votes from people in Chester-le-Street and Stanley.

Liberal Democrat teacher Philip Latham, of Riding Mill, Northumberland, gained 7,151 votes, while Conservative candidate Mark Watson, of Chester-le-Street, received 6,258.