Alun Pugh retains his seat for Labour

Labour has successfully defended Clwyd West, which was Wales' most marginal seat in 1999.

Alun Pugh fought off a Conservative challenge from prominent fuel protestor Brynle Williams, who came second.

Deputy education minister Mr Pugh secured a majority of just 760 at the inaugural 1999 election.

That lead was cut to a slimmer 436 this time, but Labour will nevertheless be relieved at retaining the seat.

Majority

Before the constituency underwent a boundary change in 1997, it was a safe Conservative seat.

But at assembly level it is a three-way marginal, contested by three heavyweights.

Mr Pugh, 47, took 34.77% of the vote (up 3.77%), ahead of Mr Williams' 32.80% (up 4.81%).

Plaid Cymru's North Wales AM Janet Ryder was the loser - her 4,715 votes and 21.31% share was down 5.97%.

That was ahead of Liberal Democrat candidate Eleanor Burnham's 1,743 votes (7.88% of the vote, down 5.84%).

Turnout was 40.6%, down from 46.9%.