Labour has won the first seat in Sunderland South although its share of the vote has fallen by four points.
The first result to be declared was at 10:43 p.m., where Labour's Mr Chris Mullin was re-elected with a majority, although a reduced share of the vote. Turnout in the constituency fell by 10 per cent to 48.4 per cent.
If exit polls are right, the Labour Party is poised to crush the Conservatives, and Tony Blair could even increase his last majority of 179. The LibDems are hoping to outmanoeuvre the Conservatives and become the effective opposition to Labour.