HELEN Goodman took up her first post as MP as voters in Bishop Auckland remained loyal to Labour.

Mrs Goodman takes up the gauntlet from Labour stalwart Derek Foster, who served as the constituency's MP for 26 years.

She was elected with a majority of 10,047, after gaining 19,065 vote, which was 50 per cent of the turnout.

Mrs Goodman said: "I am obviously very pleased with the result.

"The large Labour vote in Bishop Auckland shows that the values of the people here reflect the values and the programme that the Labour Party has presented to them. It shows we are trusted by the people to represent their interests."

Liberal Democrat Chris Foote Wood gained 23.7 per cent of the turnout with 9,810 votes. Tory candidate Richard Bell received 8,736 votes, which was 22.9 per cent of the turnout. Margaret Hopson, UK Independent Party, finished with 1,309 votes just 3.4 per cent of the turnout.

The overall turnout of voters was 56.5 per cent, slightly less than that the last General Election turnout of 57.2 per cent.

In Durham North-West, Hilary Armstrong kept the seat she has held for Labour for 18 years with a majority of 13,443.

The MP polled 21,312 votes, Liberal Democrat Alan Ord received 7,869 votes, Conservative Jamie Devlin won 6,463 votes and Independent Watts Stelling attracted 3,865 votes.

Ms Armstrong Labour's Chief Whip said: "I am thrilled and privileged that the people of North-West Durham have continued to put their trust in me.

"I never take a single vote for granted. I know that we haven't done everything that people wanted us to do, but I do know that people in the constituency have seen the difference we have made through the minimum wage, tax credits, the investment in schools and the improvement in health services. All that has come from a stable economy.

"They are also telling me that there is a lot more to do, so I relish the opportunity to do more."

On overall results and nationally, she said: "It is still a remarkable majority. I find it quite bizarre that people expected we would still get the same majority three times running. That has never happened in British history. For a Prime Minister to get a third term like this is absolutely unique."