History has been made as Labour snatched the Southend East and Rochford and Southend West and Leigh seats from the Tories. 

Bayo Alaba claimed the Southend East and Rochford seat with 15,395 votes. 

Turnout was 56.68%.

The seat had been held by Sir James Duddridge who decided to step down at the next General Election after 18 years.

Mr Alaba is a former Parachute Regiment soldier, school governor, youth mentor and charity trustee.

He beat Conservative candidate Gavin Haran who secured 11,368. Reform candidate Leslie Lilley was third with 7,214 votes. 

In another blow to the Tories Anna Firth lost her Southend West and Leigh seat to Labour's David Burton Sampson. 

Mr Burton Sampson claimed 16,739 votes. The turnout was 62.71%.

Ms Firth was second with 14,790 votes. 

Reform were third with Peter Little getting 8,273 votes. 

More to follow.