Conservative George Hollingbery romped to victory in the new Meon Valley constituency.

The Tory, runner up to Mark Oaten in Winchester in 2005, won a thumping 12,000 majority over Lib Dem rival Liz Leffman.

Mr Hollingbery, from Alresford, netted 28, 818 votes, Leffman 16, 693 while Howard Linsley was a distant third for Labour with 3,266.

Mr Hollingbery said: “Thank you for putting your faith in me and the Conservative party at this very important time.

“I would like to thank the people of the Meon Valley constituency for giving me the opportunity to represent them in parliament.

"I feel very privileged to be given the chance.”

Mr Hollingbery, 45, who is married with three children, has represented Alresford on Winchester City Council for the past 11 years.

Most of the new Meon Valley constituency, which was created because of Winchester’s growth of the past few years, is familiar to him.

He said fighting plans by Sainsbury’s to build a store in Bishop’s Waltham was among his key priorities.

Ms Leffman said: “I hope that we can come back again and fight another day. We have got many MPs in rural areas so I don’t think it is because the Meon Valley is rural that I have lost.”

George Hollingbery (Con) 28, 818; Liz Leffman (Lib Dem) 16, 693; Howard Linsley (Lab) 3, 266; Stephen Harris (Ukip) 1, 490; Pat Harris (English Democrats) 582; Sarah Coates (Aminal Protection Party) 255; Graeme Quar (Ind) 134.

Majority 12,125