In pictures: South Carolina votes

Barack Obama has won South Carolina's primary election, in which Democratic Party supporters voted for their choice to run in this year's US presidential elections.

Addressing a jubilant victory rally, wife Michelle by his side, Mr Obama said the election was "about the past versus the future" and promised to bring about change.

Excited supporters gathered to greet Mr Obama who had campaigned long and hard in South Carolina.

It was the final poll for the Democrats before so-called Super Tuesday on 5 February, when more than 20 states will vote in primary contests.

There was record turnout in South Carolina, with more than 530,000 casting their vote. Some 280,000 people voted in the last Democratic primary in 2004.

Barack Obama took some 80% of the black vote, in the first Democratic primary where a large number of the voters were African-American.

He was heavily tipped to win the contest ahead of the ballot, after opinion polls showed him with a comfortable lead.

Hillary Clinton kept her campaigning in the state to a minimum, suggesting that she knew her chances of winning were not strong, analysts said.

John Edwards won South Carolina in his failed run for the presidential nomination in 2004 but could only manage third place this time.

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