HUGO Swire has been returned as East Devon MP for the second time with majority of just over 9,000 after what he called a friendly campaign.

HUGO Swire has been returned as East Devon MP for the second time with majority of just over 9,000 after what he called a 'friendly' campaign.

He praised his four rival candidates for the level of debate and cordial relations over the month-long campaign which saw a high 72.9 per cent turnout, above the national average.

Mr Swire secured 25,662 votes giving him a 9114 majority 48.3 percent of the vote, at the expense of Labour.

Runner-up Lib Dem Paull Robathan also saw his share of the vote increase with 16,548 votes despite only being selected in March.

Labour candidate Gareth Manson his party's share of the vote fall, securing 5,271 votes.

UKIP's Mike Amor built on their previous result with an increased share with 4,436 votes while the Green Party's Sharon Pavey had 815 votes.

Mr Swire said: "To the returning officer can I thank you and all your staff on behalf of all the candidates for an exceptionally well-run event.

"I'm pleased to say that when people come to look at this election and see what has gone wrong in other parts of the country they could do worse than look at what's gone on here to see how an election campaign should be run.

"And I say that not only about the returning officer and his staff ...and all those in the polling stations but also the level of debate that I think all the candidates have had and the generally well behaved and friendly relations we have enjoyed with each other over the past month.

"I have heard anecdotally that in other parts of the country that hasn't always been the case.

"But I'm glad to say there is along tradition of political campaigning in East Devon that they do not get personal and is about the issues.

"It is an enormous honour for me to be reelected as the Member of Parliament for East Devon MP for East Devon.