Conservative Richard Bacon has become the South Norfolk MP for the fifth time since 2001.

Diss Mercury: Danielle Glavin, Labour candidate for South Norfolk. Picture: Southern News and Pictures.Danielle Glavin, Labour candidate for South Norfolk. Picture: Southern News and Pictures. (Image: © Southern News & Pictures Ltd.)

Mr Bacon received 35,580 votes - an increase of 4,585 seats from 2015 - and said he was very 'honoured' to maintain his constituency seat.

'I am very honoured to be returned again,' he said. 'It is not something you ever take for granted.

Diss Mercury: South Norfolk count held at Long Stratton Leisure Centre. Picture: Rebecca MurphySouth Norfolk count held at Long Stratton Leisure Centre. Picture: Rebecca Murphy (Image: Archant)

'I am very honoured that lots of people locally put their trust in me to carry out being their MP.

'I'll continue to work for all people in the community no matter which party they support.'

Better broadband for the district, ensuring young people have the right skills for jobs and making it easier for young people and families to get their own houses, were some of Mr Bacon's pledges.

Labour gained 8,400 more seats than the previous election.

Candidate Danielle Glavin expressed her delight at the increase and receiving 18,902 votes in a 'safe' Conservative seat.

She said: 'We are really pleased. It is a safe Conservative seat so it was always going to be difficult. It shows people are angry.

'Hopefully it will show they (the Conservative Party) cannot go on like it. If somewhere like this can see Labour seats grow so substantially, they need to make changes.'

The Liberal Democrat's Chris Brown came third with 5,074 votes - gaining 395 more votes than in 2015.

But Catherine Rowett of the Green Party lost went from 3,090 votes in 2015 to 1,555.

The district reported large numbers across its polling stations throughout Thursday, with the overall turnout of the 83,055 electorates was 73.80pc.