Mel Stride has praised the campaign successfully fought by his political ally Anne Marie Morris in Newton Abbot.

Moments after it was confirmed that Liberal Democrat Richard Younger-Ross had missed out on the new seat, a smaller version of the Teignbridge constituency he had held since 2001, Mr Stride said: 'I'm absolutely delighted for Anne Marie, she has fought a decent, honest and spirited campaign.

'She will make an excellent MP for Newton Abbot. 'I've still to await the outcome of my own vote but I'm hoping to find out very soon that I will be joining her in the House.'