MP James GrayAN emotional James Gray choked back tears as he was named MP for the Wiltshire North constituency in the early hours of Friday morning.

Conservative candidate Mr Gray broke down as he thanked his wife Sarah, who is suffering from breast cancer, during his victory speech.

Gray has been the MP since 1997 and increased his majority to more than 5,000 votes.

Liberal Democrat Paul Fox came second with 20,979, in third place was Labour's David Nash followed by Neil Dowdney (UKIP) and Philip Allnatt (Ind).

Mr Gray said: "I'm very pleased and grateful for the people of north Wiltshire to bring me back with an increased majority and I pledge myself to continue that work for five more years.

"I am very emotional tonight for my wife Sarah and I want to thank her.

"The Conservative Party is in opposition and although I am disappointed we are not the Government I promise we will sorting Tony Blair out."

Distraught Paul Fox said Labour supporters who backed James Gray in protest against the government might have cost his party vital votes.

He said: "If you spend a long time in an election campaign trying to win and don't win you do feel disappointed.

"But if you look at the results we did get more votes than four years ago.

"Personally I would like to do this all over again but the choice of candidate for Chippenham next time is a matter for the local Liberal Democrats."

Labour candidate David Nash said he was pleased with the amount of support his party received making third place.

He said: "Having got a taste for electioneering I will be hoping to stand in a safer seat in four years time.

"It's been fun meeting people and putting forward the message that people are genuinely better off under Labour."

The UK Independence Party increased their share of the north Wiltshire vote by 30 per cent.

Neil Dowdney said: "It was shame Europe has been kept off the agenda for large parts of the election but I look forward to doing this all again when Tony Blair calls a referendum on the European Constitution.

"We've had a lot of support. We are a small party but lots of parties start off small and then build. I shall continue working to build up UKIP support in north Wiltshire."

Independent Philip Allnatt said he would retire from politics after losing his deposit with less than one per cent of the vote.

The results of the north Wiltshire vote were declared at 4.15am on Friday.

Acting Returning Officer Bob Marshall revealed a turnout of 69.6 per cent and 56,281 votes had been cast.

More than 100 people helped count thousands of votes from 91 ballot boxes in the sports hall at The Olympiad Leisure Centre, Chippenham.

The earliest ballot box arrived from Wiltshire College at 10.13pm and the last votes reached the counting room at 11.31pm from Sopworth.

RESULTS

James Gray (Con) 26,282

Paul Fox (LD) 20,979

David Nash (Lab) 6,794

Neil Dowdney (UKIP) 1,428

Philip Allnatt (Ind) 578

Check out the Chippenham News next week for the full round up of North Wiltshire constituencies.

The paper will feature interviews with the candidates and photographs from the night, plus graphics of the new political landscape.

In addition, there will be full coverage of the north and west Wiltshire County Council results.