Tories oust Lib Dem Lembit Opik

In a shock result, the Liberal Democrat lost what was considered a safe seat for the party by just over 1,000 votes - a swing of 13.16% to the Conservatives.

Glyn Davies won with 13,976 votes, a 41.46% share of the vote, to Mr Opik's 12,792 (a 37.94% share)

Mr Opik said he was "disappointed", admitting the result was unexpected.

He told BBC News: "I'm really quite disappointed I lost.

"I didn't expect the result and neither did my team.

"It's a sad time for me," he added. "On the other side if you stand for politics you have to be willing to contemplate the possibility of defeat."

Mr Opik, 45, who had been MP for Montgomeryshire since 1997, is a somewhat flamboyant figure known for his love life.

He was previously engaged to Cheeky Girl popstar Gabriela Irimia and had a long-term relationship with weather presenter Sian Lloyd.

In the 2005 election, Mr Opik won with a majority of 7,048.

Mr Davies, a former Tory member of the Welsh Assembly, told the BBC: "I have to admit, since the Lib Dem surge three weeks ago I was not expecting to win tonight.

"I have to admit, what's happened is a surprise. I was stunned for the first half an hour of coming here and seeing it was so close.

"Just coming to terms with this will be my job for tomorrow."