Donaldson re-elected with 10,500 majority

Mr Donaldson was returned to Westminster with 18,199 votes. Although his majority fell back slightly on his 2005 result, Mr Donaldson said he was delighted to be re-elected to represent Lagan Valley and would be working to bring investment, jobs and hope to the constituency.

Mr Donaldson's closest rival, Conservative and Ulster Unionist candidate Daphne Trimble polled 7,713 votes out of the 36,678 cast in the constituency. The TUV failed to make a dramatic dent in the DUP share, with Keith Harbinson securing 3,154 votes.

The Alliance Party held onto their vote, with candidate Trevor Lunn polling well and winning 4,174 votes.

As expected the two Nationalist parties, Sinn Fein and the SDLP saw their vote share drop following the change in the boundaries, with the SDLP's Brian Heading securing 1,835 votes and Sinn Fein's Paul Butler receiving 1,465 votes.

Following his re-election, Mr Donaldson thanked the returning officer and her staff for an "efficient" election count. He also thanked his election team and family.

Mr Donaldson also took the opportunity to condemn what he referred to as the "rumour mill" during the election campaign.

Insisting he was casting no aspersions on his fellow candidates he commented: "Democracy is not about the rumour mill, it about the truth and the people of Lagan Valley have spoken."

He reiterated his commitment to the people of Lagan Valley and called on his fellow unionists to work together for the future of Northern Ireland.