A Conservative MP says she is “humbled and honoured” to serve her new constituency after moving across Sussex to a safer seat.

Mims Davies was elected to the new East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency, previously part of the Wealden constituency which was split in two by boundary changes.

Ms Davies secured an 8,480 majority over the Lib Dems but is one of a dwindling number of Sussex Conservative MPs after the party suffered heavy losses at the ballot box.

Reacting to her election Ms Davies said: “I’m so grateful to be elected to serve as the Member of Parliament for East Grinstead, Uckfield and the villages constituency.

“It was an extremely difficult set of results for us overnight. I promise to work tirelessly for the two great towns & wonderful villages I’m humbled and honoured to serve.”

Ms Davies was formerly the MP for Mid Sussex but moved constituencies following boundary changes and stood in a safer seat.

Mid Sussex was eventually taken by the Lib Dems as they swept across Sussex on Friday morning.

Ms Davies is one of only five Tory MPs left in Sussex: herself, Nus Ghani in Sussex Wealden, Andrew Mitchell in Arundel and South Downs, Alison Griffiths in Bognor and Kieran Mullan in Bexhill and Battle.