VOTERS in North Dorset have returned Conservative candidate, Robert Walter, to Parliament for the fourth consecutive election.

Mr Walter, 61, polled some 27,640 votes and more than trebled his majority, increasing his margin of victory from 2,244 votes at the 2005 election to 7,025.

Speaking after the count, Mr Walter told the Daily Echo he would dedicate his next session in Parliament to gaining a "fairer deal for Dorset".

"It is grossly unfair that Dorset is at the bottom of the heap for funding for roads, schools, and care for the elderly, and I am very hopeful that a Conservative government will redress that imbalance."

Mr Walter's closest challenger was again the Liberal Democrat candidate, Emily Gasson, whom he has now defeated at the last three elections.

Ms Gasson, who won 20,015 votes, condemned the "vitriol" aimed at her party's leader, called for electoral reform, and criticised the early closure of polling stations.

"We really need to sort out the electoral system. Something is wrong here. We need to rebuild confidence in democracy, and you don't do that by closing polling stations before people have voted."

The Labour Party's charismatic candidate, Mike Bunney, polled only 2,910 votes - a fall of some 1,586 votes from the total won by his predecessor and agent, John Yarwood, in 2005.

"This has been the first time I've stood for parliament and I have been incredibly enthused by the enormous interest in politics in this fantastic constituency that we live and work in."

UKIP's Jeremy Nieboer, who finished fourth with 2,812 votes, said: "It is a salutary thought that 23 per cent of the population have voted for the Liberal Democrats and they have won 23 seats, while 27 per cent have voted for the Labour Party and they have 140 seats.

"UKIP is heading for one million votes and, of course, we won't get any seats."

Green Party candidate, Anna Hayball, who impressed many at a packed hustings in Blandford Parish Church, won just 546 votes, but vowed "the story does not end here".

"We will carry on fighting to bring Green Party policies to North Dorset at whatever level - town, district, or county council - and we will have Green Party representation in North Dorset."

Roger Monksummers, candidate for the Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party, kept his deposit, attracting 218 votes.

His son, Ben, 18, who heard the count after his father left for duties as a Team GB shooting coach, congratulated Mr Walter, and urged him to represent the constituency with honour.

His closest rival was Liberal Democrat, Emily Gasson, who he has now defeated at the last three elections.

Miss Gasson won 20,015 votes.