JOHN Maples held Stratford for the Conservatives polling 12,184 more votes than his nearest rival, the Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Juned.

Mr Maples returns to Westminster for his third term as MP for Alcester, Bidford and Studley.

After the results were announced by acting returning officer Paul Lankester, chief executive of Stratford District Council, Mr Maples said "It's a great honour to represent this wonderful constituency in parliament. To be re-elected for this third term of office I consider to be an honour and look forward to serving."

He said, however, that the overall result of the night was "disappointing for the Conservative party".

Dr Juned, who gave up her seat on Warwickshire County Council to concentrate on the parliamentary election, thanked all her supporters adding: "It's been a good campaign."

Afterwards she told the Chronicle that she was "tired but relieved and quite happy with the result."

Labour candidate Rachel Blackmore polled more than 10,000 with UKIP's Harry Cottam and the Green Party's Mick Davies less than 2,000 each.

There was a turnout of nearly 70 per cent in the constituency, nearly three per cent more than the 2001 election.

Full results:

Rachel Blackmore Labour 10,145

Harry Cottam UKIP 1,621

Mick Davies Green Party 1,354

Susan Juned Liberal Democrat 16,468

John Maples Conservative 28,652