LIBERAL Democrat candidate Jeremy Browne swept to a decisive victory in Taunton Deane last night taking 28,531 votes, compared to the 24,538 votes cast for rival Conservative hopeful Mark Formosa, a margin of 3,993.

At the last election, in 2005, Mr Browne took the seat from the then Conservative candidate, Adrian Flook, by 25,764 votes to 25,191, a margin of just 537.

Mr Browne is the first MP to be re-elected for Taunton Deane since 1992.

Paying tribute to the campaign fought by Mr Formosa under difficult personal circumstances - his mother became ill and subsequently died during the campaign - he said: "I'm extremely proud to be in this position again.

"This is a very exciting time to be in politics.

"The Liberal Democrats have established themselves as the party of change."

A defiant Mr Formosa told supporters: "There has to be a winner and a number of losers, and sadly Taunton Deane was not for us."

But he added: "We will be back."

Martin Jevon (Labour) polled 2,969, and Tony McIntyre (United Kingtom Independence Party) polled 2,114.

The turnout was 70.58% compared to 69.7% in 2005.