Labour's Jeff Cuthbert paid tribute to his predecessor in Caerphilly

Fallen Labour leading light Ron Davies' successor has held the Caerphilly constituency for the party in the Welsh Assembly election.

Jeff Cuthbert was picked by local party bosses after the former Welsh Secretary chose not to stand just seven weeks ago, amid renewed tabloid reports about his private life.

Despite fears the crisis could have benefited rivals, Mr Cuthbert took 46.85% of the vote, extending Labour's 1999 majority over Plaid Cymru with a 4.78% swing.

The loss of Caerphilly - one of the heartland seats dramatically stolen by Plaid at the inaugural election - would have proved a blow to Labour's efforts to regain influence and build a majority in the assembly.

Rollercoaster

Mr Cuthbert won with 11,893 votes (up 2.65% for Labour), ahead of Mr Whittle's 6,919 (down 6.91% for Plaid).

Tory candidate Laura Anne Jones was third on 2,570 (10.12%, up 2.36%) while Liberal Democrat Rob Roffe was fourth on 1,281 (5.05%, down 7.38%).

The turnout fell 5.95% to 25,387.

Mr Cuthbert said: "Despite the rollercoaster this has been for me and my constituency Labour party, I must pay tribute to the man who, up until two months ago, would have been standing here.

Tribute

"Without any doubt, Ron was one of those who was instrumental in creating the Welsh Assembly. The fact any of us are here tonight is very much down to him.

"I'm absolutely confident that Ron will emerge in a suitable and senior capacity in Welsh public life in the near future."

Mr Whittle said: "I am sorry he too did not take a full and active part in this campaign; I wish him and his family well.

"I am disappointed we didn't win because the message on the doorsteps was not that bad - but clearly the message in the ballot box was a little worse than expected."