Energy Minister David Kidney loses Stafford to Tories

Mr Kidney said Labour had been swept away in marginal seats

Energy Minister David Kidney has lost his Labour seat in Stafford to the Conservative candidate.

Mr Kidney received 16,587 votes but was beaten by Jeremy Lefroy who got 22,047 votes - a swing of 7.4% to the Tories.

Labour's Charlotte Atkins, who was criticised for claiming £35,000 of expenses for repairs to her second home, lost Staffordshire Moorlands.

The Conservatives' Karen Bradley polled 19,793 votes, a majority of 6,689 over Miss Atkins.

Mr Kidney said: "I think an overriding theme of the election is 'it's time for a change'. It's a tidal theme that sweeps away Labour candidates in marginal seats."

TV historian Tristram Hunt won the Stoke-on-Trent Central seat, which represents a Labour hold.

Mr Hunt was selected by his party when Mark Fisher announced he was standing down after 27 years due to ill health.

He said: "I'm enormously excited, and enormously honoured.

"What was particularly gratifying is that the BNP vote did not raise significantly."

Labour's Susan Woodward lost her seat at Cannock Chase after a 17.9% decrease in the Labour vote. The seat was won by her Conservative rival Aidan Burley.

Elsewhere, Tories gained seats in Tamworth and Burton, and held their seats in Lichfield, South Staffordshire and Stone.

Labour held on to its other seats in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent North and Stoke-on-Trent South.