James Morris has won Halesowen and Rowley Regis for the Conservatives with an increased majority.


He beat Labour's Stephanie Peacock into second place with a majority of 3182.


Despite pollsters and bookies pegging the pair neck and neck throughout the campaign Mr Morris was the clear winner.


He said: "I am delighted to have been elected MP with an increased majority.
"We got a sense on the doorstep we had a lot of support in not just Halesowen but in Sandwell too."


He added: "I would like to thank everyone in my campaign as we did very well to beat Labour who made this constituency a top target and bussed in hundreds of volunteers."


Stephanie Peacock said: "I had the best campaign team anyone could want.
"I would like to congratulate James on his win, I joined the Labour Party to reduce inequality and will continue trying to do that."


UKIP candidate Dean Perks claimed he won votes from both the main parties and particularly polled well in Rowley and Blackheath which sets up an intriguing count for the local elections in those wards later today.


He said: "I have enjoyed the campaign and it was fought without bitterness.
"We have shown that we can take votes off Labour and not just the Tories."


John Payne, the Green Party, said: "The Green tide is rising because of the issue of global warming and we will continue to grow."


Liberal Democrat Peter Tyzack said: "James did not win 50 per cent of the vote and until we get proportional representation we will not have a proper democracy.