Lib Dem Mike Thornton is Eastleigh's new MP

Well, that's it, all over.

So it's congratulations and good luck to new Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton.

And as the Liberal Democrats party into the small hours all that remains for us to do is do a Maria Hutchings and just leave them to it!

But don't forget to see today's Daily Echo by-election special edition for all the reaction and background to the Eastleigh result.

Good bye!

The Liberal Democrat celebrations will continue this morning when party leader Nick Clegg is expected at the Ageas Bowl.

He added: "She is a pretty emotional sort. It has been pretty tough for her."

When asked why his candidate had left in such disappointing manner a Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery told the Daily Echo: "Have you ever met Maria."

Maria Hutchings had left the count without so much as an utterance to the press.

Asked how she was looking forward to life as a political wife, Mrs Thorton said she had "not thought that far ahead yet."
"I'm just overwhelmed," she said.

She told the Daily Echo: "I am very proud of him - it has been an absolutely crazy three weeks. He has coped very well and I have had to make him lots of tea and coffee."
 

She entered the election count arm in arm with the Lib Dem and watched with joy as he delivered his victory speech.
 

Mike Thornton's wife Peta said she felt "overwhelmed" by her husband's victory.
 

Bizarre scenes at the end as winner Mike Thornton was left on the stage alone, as the media swarmed beaten Tory candidate Maria Hutchings as she was ushered out of the side door

He adds that the Lib Dems are "winning here" - a reference to the slogan on their billboards.

Thanks Peta his wife for support.

"Eastleigh is a beautiful part of the country" he promises to be "hard working constituency MP."

Cries of We Like Mike fill the hall

Thornton pays tribute to rival candidates for "reasonable and well mannered campaign."

Praises Lib Dem supporters as being "tremendous boost".

Mike Thornton is the new Eastleigh MP with a majority of 1,771

Here is the full list of the results

· COLIN BEX - Wessex regionalists - 30
· DAVID BISHOP - Elvis Loves Pets Party - 72
· JIM DUGGAN - Peace Party - 128
· RAY HALL - Beer, Baccy and Crumpet Party - 235
· HOWLING LAUD HOPE - Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party - 136
· MARIA HUTCHINGS - Conservative - 10, 559
· DIANE JAMES - UK Independence Party - 11,571
· DR IAIN MACLENNAN - National Health Action Party - 392
· KEVIN MILBURN - Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship" - 163
· JOHN O'FARRELL - Labour - 4, 088
· DARREN PROCTER - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - 62
· DANNY STUPPLE - Independent - 768
· MIKE THORNTON - Liberal Democrats - 13,342
· MICHAEL WALTERS - The English Democrats - "Putting England First!" - 70.

Looks like:

1. Lib Dems
2. UKIP
3. Conservative
4. Labour

Candidates called to stage...

There's an air of inevitability about the impending result now.

Tory campaigners are sat glum faced at the far side of the hall. They look like a beaten team

Diane James posing for pics with a beaming smile and two thumbs up.

She is clearly happy with her performance in this by-election - but is it enough to upset the odds?

Well that 2am time mentioned by Keith House has come and gone.

We are expecting a result to be announced imminently

Labour candidate John O'Farrell said: "I think it was a good campaign, really positive with lots of new members for the Labour Party and lots of new activists in the area, which sets us up for future elections."

Mrs Hutchings just about cracks a smile as she enters the building.

But she is ushered into the centre of the hall without saying a word to the assembled press.

Maria Hutchings arrives to a muted reception.

She hugs her campaigners and takes a seat at the far side of the hall - a far cry from the jubilant entrance of her victorious rival Mike Thornton.

Maria Hutchings due to arrive in one minute, we are told.

The decibels have really gone up a notch or four here.

Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings now about to enter the arena.

Southampton Test Alan Whitehead has arrived

No sign of Tory hopeful Maria Hutchings yet but Labour candidate John O'Farrell has just arrived to applause from his supporters.

Still no sign of Maria Hutchings or John O'Farrell...

Nigel Farage added: "I think it has been amazing. We have had real momentum and there has been tremendous excitement"

Mrs James says they have "done very well" adding: "Let's just see what happens."

Nigel Farage says he has no regrets about not running himself.

Mrs James enters the fray alongside party leader Nigel Farage.

They haven't given up on this by election just yet! Is there to be a late twist in this epic tale?

UKIP trying to push in with their placards but it's a see of orange as Thornton storms on the counting hall with his wife Peta by his side beaming.

UKIP candidate Diane James has now arrived. Suddenly it's all kicking off here!!

He reiterates his desire to "maintain green spaces".

That is despite backing the 1,400 home Boorley Green development in the constituency.

He adds that despite coalition the Lib Dems have maintained "core beliefs" and "identity"

The Lib Dem candidate adds: "Behind me is a whole bunch of people who want to help me do my job really well."

Says he is "really high" and needs his wife and daughter to bring him back down to earth

The clock may be approaching 1.30am but Mike Thornton says he is "as wide awake now as I have been in my whole life."

Thornton says he is "absolutely exhilarant" at impending victory announcement.

There could be a lot of eggs on a lot of faces if they lose this by-election now.

We've still had no official announcement remember!

It's descended into a media circus here as everyone clamours to speak to the Lib Dem candidate.

Still waiting official count but they feel they have won this

Mike Thornton added: "People of Eastleigh have put their trust in me.

"They know they can trust me."

Chanting Lib Dem supporters gathered outside with placards chanting "we like Mike!"

Lib Dem candidate Mike Thornton has arrived.

"We think we've won," he announced.

If the Tories finished behind Ukip that represent a ''crisis'', declared influential Tory MP David Davis tonight.

Crowd of cameramen have amassed at the door of the counting hall - though the Lib Dem candidate could be 20 minutes yet.

The big guns continue to play the waiting game here.

If Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House was right, they have just over an hour to get here before the count

There's definitely a feeling in the air here that this is the calm before the storm