Labour has overturned Conservative MP Richard Harrington’s majority of almost 10,000 in Watford, in the first major scalp of the general election as results continue to come in.

Richard Harrington was appointed parliamentary under-secretary at the department for work and pensions in Theresa May's first government reshuffle in July 2016.

He first became MP in 2010 when he won the seat with a majority of 2.6 per cent, and extended his lead in 2015 to 17.4 per cent.

SEE HOW THE RESULTS UNFOLDED HERE

But when the seat was declared at 3.02am on Friday morning it became one of Labour's best result of the night so far, with the party's candidate Chris Ostrowski taking 24,639 votes to Harrington’s 26,731.

Elsewhere, the Lib Dem candidate Ian Storesbury had a disappointing night with only 5,335 votes.

Green candidate Alex Murray received 721 and Ian Green for UKIP for 1,184.

Speaking after the count – held at Watford Leisure Centre Central in Peace Prospect – Mr Harrington said: “It’s my great privilege and pleasure to be re-elected to represent the people of Watford.

"I would like to congratulate my fellow candidates on the way they presented themselves.

"Tonight I am very proud.

"I promise everyone I will do my best to represent everyone in Watford irrespective of their politics.”

Mr Ostrowski told the Watford Observer he was confident Labour would win the next election in the town.

He said: “The result is amazing. We have now made Watford a marginal seat and can win the next election, whenever that may be.

“We could not have predicted this, but it just shows the people of Watford want change.”

Mr Ostrowski said his campaign was helped by two visits from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, including on the evening before polling.

Locally, Harrington promised to work to get more homes and fight the cuts to our schools.

The Tories have maintained their presence in south west Hertfordshire, with holds in Hertsmere, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Hichin & Harpenden.

At the time of writing, our predictor is now putting the Tories on 320 seats at the end of the night - six short of an overall majority.