LABOUR supporters were celebrating across the region early today as it became apparent that the party had recorded an emphatic victory in the General Election.

The scene was set as the North-East returned the quickest-ever declaration of an election result, when Sunderland South announced the winner in 42 minutes.

Votes were counted having been rushed to Crowtree Leisure Centre in a military-style operation and, predictably, they revealed that sitting Labour MP Chris Mullin had retained his seat.

Mr Mullin polled 19,921 votes. The Conservative candidate, James Boyd, second with 6,254, and LibDem Mark Greenfield third with 3,675.

Joseph Dobbie, of the British National Party, polled 576, Joseph Moore polled 470 votes for the UK Independence Party, and Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Rosalyn Warner came in last with 291.

But there were some concerns for Labour, with a low turnout of 48 per cent and a majority reduced by about 6,000, suggesting that pre-poll Labour fears about voter complacency might have some foundation.

Mr Mullin said: "The British people were offered a straight choice between the remorseless pursuit of gain against the common good. I look forward to the day when all parties will gear themselves towards the best rather than the basest in British people.

"I am very disappointed about the turnout. I think it reflects what is going to be a problem in this country in the age of multi-media.

"Elections are now about small elites of politicians touring the country in battlebuses pursued by a small number of journalists."

Sunderland North was another of the earliest results, with Labour man William Etherington winning with 18,685 votes, ahead of Tory Michael Harris, with 5,331 votes. LibDem John Lennox was third with 3,559.

Independent Neil Herron was fourth with 1,518 votes, and BNP candidate David Guynan was last with 687.

Mr Etherington celebrated his ninth year as Sunderland North MP although it was a reduced majority.

Independent Neil Herron, who backed so-called Metric Martyr Steve Thoburn earlier this year, said: "If a market trader like myself can get 1,500 votes flying by the seat of his pants, imagine what he could achieve with full party machinery.

"Just remember, nine months ago all I was interested in was selling bananas."

Also on Wearside, Fraser Kemp held Houghton and Washington East for Labour with 24,628 votes against his nearest rival, Conservative Anthony Devenish with 4,810, and LibDem Richard Ormerod with 4,203. However, his majority was slashed from 26,555 to 19,818 and the swing from Labour to the Conservatives was 2.3 per cent.

Turnout in the Tyne and Wear constituency was down 13 per cent from 1997 to 49.5 per cent.

Elsewhere, supporters of Prime Minister Tony Blair, gathering in his Sedgefield constituency for the count, were buoyant after the first exit polls suggested a large Labour victory.

Mr Blair's Conservative opponent, Douglas Carswell, speaking as the votes were being counted, said it had been a fun campaign and added: "I am optimistic but realistic."

In Hartlepool, Peter Mandelson's camp forecast a comfortable victory shortly after the polls closed, but suggested that the majority could be significantly reduced from 1997.

The former Northern Ireland Secretary's agent, Steve Wallace, said the indication was that the turnout was down, but said: "The thing is not to compare the results with the 1997 result, which was a complete one-off, a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"We should compare it with a normal Hartlepool result, which gives Labour candidate a 7,000 majority."

A spokesman for Mr Mandelson said: "After a sustained barrage of media comment for the past five months, to resist by winning by a significant majority will be a highly creditable achievement."

Tory candidate Gus Robinson said Mr Mandelson had run a very efficient campaign, and LibDem candidate Nigel Boddy said: "You don't go into a fight with someone with a 17,000 majority with a realistic expectation of beating him.

"I was in this campaign to raise awareness of issues like the NHS, law and order, and education, and I am very happy we have done that."

Conservatives in the North Yorkshire Tory heartlands were refusing to be downcast despite exit polls which predicted another Labour landslide.

There was a shaking of heads at the Romanby Golf and Country Club, in Northallerton, where Tory leaders from William Hague's Richmond constituency gathered to watch the drama unfold on a giant TV screen.

Constituency treasurer Ron Kirk said. "Tony Blair has appeared a worried man, despite the polls putting his party ahead, so perhaps that should tell us something."

William Hague was said to be watching the count at home, although Tory party workers were hinting he may join the crowds at the count at Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, in the early hours when the Richmond result was expected.

On Teesside, Labour supporters were looking for a result which would turn Stockton South from the Labour gain of four years ago to a firm Labour seat.

Supporters for the Labour Party's Dari Taylor said it had been a smooth campaign with a positive response on the doorstep and from telephone canvassing.

Harry Davies, agent for Conservative candidate Tim Devlin, said: "We have fought it very hard.

"We have had tremendous support from the rest of the North-East constituencies, and we have run a good campaign.

"Obviously, national trends might affect us, but we are hoping the fact that Tim is well-known will help us."

Voting turnout in the constituency was described last night as normal, running at about 63 per cent.

Counting in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland did not get under way until after 10.30pm because of the rural nature of much of the constituency. A turnout of 73 per cent of a total of 72,102 voters was predicted.