Conservatives secure stunning Copeland by-election win over Labour

Copeland's new Conservative MP, Trudy Harrison, began her first day in her new job today.

She's heading down from west Cumbria to Westminster - the first Conservative to represent Copeland since 1935.

Trudy Harrison won 13,748 votes in last week's by-election, beating Labour's Gillian Troughton into second place by more than 2,000 votes.

The Conservatives take Copeland from Labour, with the biggest by-election swing towards a party in power for more than half a century.

This afternoon the Prime Minister returned to west Cumbria to congratulate her newest MP.

The Conservative party have secured a stunning victory over Labour in Copeland.

Here are the full results from the dramatic by-election.

• Trudy Harrison (C) 13,748 (44.25%, +8.46%)
• Gillian Troughton (Lab) 11,601 (37.34%, -4.92%)
• Rebecca Hanson (LD) 2,252 (7.25%, +3.80%)
• Fiona Mills (UKIP) 2,025 (6.52%, -9.00%)
• Michael Guest (Ind) 811 (2.61%)
• Jack Lenox (Green) 515 (1.66%, -1.32%)
• Roy Ivinson (Ind) 116 (0.37%)

The result of the Copeland by-election is expected to be declared at around 2:30am this morning, officials have told ITV Border.

It's anticipated to be a close contest between Labour - who have held the seat for more than 80 years - and the Conservatives, who are the bookies favourites to take it.

Vote counting is now underway in the Copeland by-election.

Turnout at the by-election was unexpectedly high, at 51.35 percent.

Voter turnout for the Copeland by-election has been confirmed as 51.35 percent.

The figure has exceeded expectations, with many suggesting Storm Doris would put people off heading to the polling stations.

The votes have now been verified at the Copeland by-election, meaning counting is due to begin at 12:15am.

The Liberal Democrats are anticipating a Conservative victory in Copeland, with the party beating Labour on postal votes.