Labour win Peterborough and North West Cambridgeshire

Peterborough turns red in election night shock BBC News, Peterborough Veteran Conservative MP Shailesh Vara has lost his North West Cambridgeshire seat by 39 votes to one of the youngest Labour candidates standing in the election, 22-year-old Sam Carling.

Mr Vara had held the seat for nearly 20 years.

Labour has gained both Peterborough and North West Cambridgeshire in a dramatic night for the city.

The city seats were among the last to be called in the county because of a recount, which overall has seen the Liberal Democrats increase its presence.

Mr Carling called his victory over Mr Vara a "political earthquake".

"In this election, residents across the area heard our message of change," he said.

Mr Vara said he felt "disappointed" to lose and called on the Conservative Party to unite.

"I feel blessed to have served the area for about 20 years," he said.

The city of Peterborough spans two parliamentary constituencies.

Peterborough covers the city centre and areas north of the River Nene, such as the cathedral and its new university, ARU Peterborough.

The constituency of North West Cambridgeshire covers areas south of the river, including the Peterborough United stadium.

Labour candidate Andrew Pakes has been elected in Peterborough, beating the incumbent MP Paul Bristow by 118 votes.

He said it was "the privilege" of his life to represent the city after a "hard-fought campaign".

"The public like to keep the politicians on their feet," he said.

"We knew it was going to be tough. Bristow has been a strong contender."

Labour leader for Peterborough City Council, Dennis Jones, said he was "relieved and very happy" with the results.

Mr Bristow, the city's Conservative candidate and the seat's former MP, has apologised to supporters for his loss.

Mr Bristow said: "We have made real mistakes nationally- and those responsible for these mistakes should ask themselves serious questions on their responsibility in all of this.

"I hope they will apologise to MPs and candidates who lost. And if they do, then they can have a role in rebuilding the party."