Sunderland South was the first seat to declare, with victory going to Labour's Chris Mullin.

The Foreign Office minister retained his seat by 11,059 votes.

That was down from 2001's majority of 13,667.

There was a swing from Labour to the Conservatives of four per cent.

Turnout was 49 per cent, a figure in line with the seat's participation rate last time round.

Mullin said "hope has triumphed over fear, optimism over pessimism".

"We now have a chance to shape the lives of an entire generation. We must use it wisely."

The seat was first to declare for the fourth election in a row - sealing its reputation for fast counting.

However, the returning officer's counting team failed to beat their own record for the fastest time for announcing a result.

Sunderland South 2005 result

David Guynan (BNP) - 1,166

Gareth Kane (Lib Dem) - 4,492

Chris Mullin (Lab) - 17,982

Robert Oliver (Con) - 6,923

Mad Cow Girl Warner (Monster Raving) - 149

» RELATED LINKS Election 2005 > Key constituency results