Former Tory councillor Gavin Barwell said he was 'honoured and humbled' by his victory in the General Election last night.

He beat his old friend and ex-colleague Andrew Pelling by triumphing in Croydon Central.

The Shirley-born candidate polled 19,657 votes, beating nearest challenger - Labour's Gerry Ryan - into second place.

The extremely marginal seat looked set to be won by Labour after Mr Pelling switched allegiances from the Tory party last year to stand as an independent.

But fears he would split the Conservative vote and allow Mr Ryan an easy victory proved unfounded.

Mr Barwell put everything on the line to stand in his home town, despite the rising Tory star being offered the chance to fight a safer seat elsewhere.

Speaking straight after the results were announced at Trinity School - his old place of learning - Mr Barwell pledged to his very best for his home town.

He said: "I didn't think that was ever going to end.

"I'm both honoured and humbled to be elected as Member of Parliament for my home town.

"I have lived in Croydon virtually all my life, I've chosen to raise my family here.

"It's a great place, but can be so much better."

Lord Aschroft's former aide quit as a Croydon Council cabinet member and spent hours on the campaign trail staking his claim for the seat.

Andrew Pelling only managed to garner very small support despite his own claims the race was between him and Gerry Ryan.

Mr Pelling, who won the traditionally Labour seat in 2005 by just 75 votes, said he had widespread support from both disgruntled Tories and Labour deserters, but his confidence proved unfounded.

Mr Barwell paid tribute to his old friend following what had become a bad-tempered campaign, saying he held "deep regret" over the rift which had formed between the two.

He promised to fight for the town to receive more police, for the continued safety of Mayday Hospital's future and a fair deal for council tax payers, and against the "crazy decision" to force all centrally administered asylum seekers to come to Croydon.

　

Full Croydon Central results: Ralph Atkinson UKIP - 997.

Gavin Barwell Conservative - 19657.

John Cartwright Monster Raving Loony - 192.

Michael Castle Independent - 138.

James Gitau Christian - 264.

Bernice Goldberg Green - 581.

Peter Lambell Liberal Democrat - 6553.

Cliff Le May BNP - 1448.

Andrew Pelling Independent - 3239.

Gerry Ryan Labour - 16688.