VOTERS opted for more of the same in Devizes as Michael Ancram was re-elected with nearly half of the constituency's votes.

The former Conservative party deputy leader will serve another term as MP for Devizes. Michael Ancram won 48.5 per cent (27,253) of the votes, an increase of 1.3 per cent from 2001.

He maintained a firm hold on the seat, with a 23.5 per cent majority.

Fiona Hornby, the Lib Dem candidate, won 25 per cent (14,059) of the votes in the Devizes constituency.

This was a 2.9 per cent increase compared with the Lib Dem's 2001 election result in Devizes and a larger increase than any of the other party's candidates.

She said: "I'm pleased that we are in second place. I think we have always said we are the challengers here and this at least proves that.

"I want to continue and I will go on campaigning as long as it takes, as long as I have my party's backing."

Labour suffered a decrease of 2.6 per cent in Devizes, with 12,519 votes for Sharon Charity.

Alan Wood, the UK Independence Part candidate, won 2,315 votes, 4.1 per cent of the total.

56,146 people in the Devizes constituency voted, an increase of one per cent from 2001.

Results

Michael Ancram Conservative 27,253

Fiona Hornby Liberal Democrat 14,059

Sharon Charity Labour 12,519

Alan Wood UK Independence Party 2,315

Turnout 56,146 65.2%