THERE were mixed emotions during the night for Conservative Party leader Michael Howard.

He arrived at the Leas Cliff Hall to hear that his majority had nearly doubled.

The High Sheriff of Kent, Andrew Wells, the county’s returning officer, was drowned out by enthusiastic Conservative supporters, who roared as the figure of 26,161 votes was announced.

Liberal Democrat Peter Carroll came closest to Mr Howard with 14,481 votes.

With wife Sandra at his side, Mr Howard said: "I would like to thank the people of this constituency, this wonderful constituency that I have had the honour and privilege of representing for more than 20 years.

"It’s the greatest privilege in the whole of my political career. I’ve tried to do my best and will continue to do all in my power to advance the interests and well-being of everyone in my constituency.

"I would like to thank them for their vote of confidence in me."

But it wasn’t entirely Mr Howard’s night. He went on to concede victory to Tony Blair and said it was time now for him to deliver.

The seat was seen as a major target for the Lib Dems in their so-called decapitation strategy.

Charles Kennedy visited the district 48 hours before the polls opened and declared that there was everything still to play for.

Third place Labour candidate Maureen Tomison, accused the Lib Dems of a dirty tricks campaign during her closing speech.