MANY had thought Monmouth would be a close fight but in the end Conservative David Davies romped home in style with a comfortable victory over his Labour adversary Huw Edwards.

He won with a majority of 4,527, securing 47% of the vote - a swing of 5% and becoming the first Welsh Tory MP since 1997.

The Conservatives had Monmouth firmly in their sights as their primary target seat in Wales and their seventh in the UK.

After his victory a triumphant Mr Davies - an Assembly Member - said: "I am delighted and delighted for the people who have a strong member to fight against council tax rises, hospital waiting lists and threats to our school system.

"As the first Tory to be elected since 1992 in 13 years, from a personal perspective I am very satisfied."

He said he intends to carry on his work as an AM in Cardiff Bay as well as taking his seat in Westminster.

"I shall be fighting full-time for the people of Monmouth as I have been doing for the last six years as an Assembly Member."

He said he would enter Parliament "looking at things from a Welsh perspective and using the intimate understanding of the Welsh Assembly and devolution in Wales".

A dejected Mr Edwards said: "Of course I'm disappointed but I have lost before and come back.

"To have won three out of five elections is still a great achievement. The feeling I had on the doorstep was very warm. I am going to think about the future over the weekend."