DAVID Jones will serve another five years as MP for Clwyd West.

The Conservative candidate was re-elected by constituents at Thursday’s General Election, receiving 16,463 votes, 43 per cent of the total poll.

Labour rival Gareth Thomas, who has previously held the Clwyd West seat, came in second place with 9,733 votes.

During his victory speech at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru, he said: "This is my fifth election.

"This particular election has been conducted in a courteous and friendly manner.

"I am very thankful to my excellent campaigning team over the last six weeks.

"Most importantly, thank you to all the electors of Clwyd West for entrusting with the highest honour that any citizen can have, to represent their constituents in parliament.

"Across Wales, this has been an excellent night for the Conservative party and I am proud to be part of that event."

UKIP candidate Warwick Nicholson finished a surprising third place with 4,988 of the vote, with Plaid Cymru’s Marc Jones finishing in fourth with 4,651.

Among the other candidates, Liberal Democrat Sarah Leister-Burgess finished with 1,387 votes, Bob English of the Socialist Labour Party received 612 and Rory Jepson, standing for the Above and Beyond party, clinched 194 votes.

Despite initial reports throughout the day of an expected increase in voter turnout, the final tally was revealed as 64.99 per cent, which was slightly down on the 2010 figure of 65.82.

Mr Jones will now begin his third term in office, having been victorious in both the 2005 and 2010 elections, and it capped off an incredible night for the Conservatives in North Wales, with James Davies taking the Vale of Clwyd seat from Labour’s Chris Ruane and Guto Bebb increasing his majority in Aberconwy.

AM Andrew Davies, Welsh Conservatives leader, said: “These results are a giant leap forward for the party and I am extremely pleased for all our members of Parliament – and for every candidate in Wales; all have made huge efforts during this campaign.

“This success is testament to our huge progress and good work for our country.”