The Conservatives strengthened their grip on the historically blue seat of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

Nick Gibb increased his majority to 7,822 votes compared with 5,643 in 2001.

Labour lost almost 1,600 votes while the Liberal Democrats and UKIP candidates made significant gains.

The constituency has been held by the Tories since it was created as an offshoot of the old Arundel seat in 1995.

Former accountant Mr Gibb, 44, embarking on a third term after entering Parliament in 1997, said: "I am still detecting a large amount of disillusionment with politicians and politics.

"We have to put an end to yah boo politics and foster a new style of opposition which does not just disagree with the Government for the sake of disagreement."

Labour's George O'Neill saw support decrease from 11,959 votes four years ago to 10,361 last night. After the result at Arun Leisure Centre, near Bognor, he said: "What's important is that we still have a Labour Government."

The Lib Dems won 2,000-plus more votes than when Pamela Peskett stood previously. Candidate Simon McDougall said: "Next time we will be the main opposition."

High profile UKIP candidate Adrian Lithgow, a former Mail on Sunday political editor, was delighted with his 3,276 votes, an increase of almost 1,500 on predecessor George Stride.

Elected: Nick Gibb (C) 18,183.

Not elected: George O'Neill (L) 10,361, Simon McDougall (LD) 8,927, Adrian Lithgow (UKIP) 3,276.

Majority: 7,822.

Turnout: 62.53 per cent.