The Liberal Democrats have taken control of the Cheadle constituency in this year's UK general election.

Lib Dem candidate Tom Morrison is the new MP, with a majority of around 12,000 votes.

He replaces Conservative MP Mary Robinson.

The Lib Dems were last elected to this seat in 2010, when Mark Hunter - now leader of Stockport Council - was the MP.

In the ensuing 2015, 2017, and 2019 elections, Conservative MP Mary Robinson was elected.

Full results are as follows, with the winner highlighted in bold:

• Alexander Drury – Green (1,630)
• Marcus Farmer – Independent (105)
• Kelly Fowler – Labour (7,909)
• Tanya Manzoor – Workers Party (811)
• Tom Morrison – Liberal Democrats (23,681)
• Mary Robinson – Conservative (11,446)
• Stephen Speakman – Reform UK (5,149)

Tom Morrison was announced as the new MP for Cheadle around 3.40am. He described his election as 'the honour of [his] life'.

Outlining his plan of action, Mr Morrison said: "In the immediate term, it's Stepping Hill hospital. I've been talking throughout this whole campaign that we need to get the funding it needs to function as a hospital. That's the number one priority."

Speaking of his 12,000 vote majority, Mr Morrison said: "I'm really humbled. I just can't thank the people of Cheadle enough for giving me this opportunity to serve them."

Reaction (by Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Mr Morrison told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There was a real thirst for change in the community of Cheadle. We were door knocking all day and people were really excited to go and vote.

"I think we've had ten years now of endless promises being broken and it was time for a change, I just want to thank the people of Cheadle so much for giving me this opportunity to serve them.

"The first thing is we've got to get funding for Stepping Hill, it was coming up on every door the fact that it is underfunded, that's the key thing we need to do.

"Stepping Hill is my number one priority, I think we need to get people around the table and figure out how we can unlock the funding to get those repairs sorted and get that hospital back up and running properly.

"The next thing is getting more investment into the high streets, we've got some brilliant high streets such as Bramhall, Heald Green, and Cheadle, but they need more care and attention and as the MP I want to do that.

"Whoever is running the next government we will hold them to account and I will be there making sure that Cheadle's voice is heard no matter who is in Number 10."

Cheadle is an important seat for the Lib Dems, and was targeted in the preceding weeks and months as part of the national Lib Dem election campaign (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Stockport's Stepping Hill Hospital is situated in the constituency. The hospital is in need of repairs and investment after recent reports of collapsing ceilings and flooded corridors.

The hospital's condition has been one of the focus of Mr Morrison's work as a councillor and his general election campaign.

He accused the Conservatives of not doing enough to tackle the issues at the site, with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey calling for a "proper programme" to sort out the problems during a recent visit to Bramhall.

Mr Morrison has also pledged to fight for more funding for the police, and push for more affordable housing.

During his time on the council, he backed plans to expand the Metrolink to Stockport, both to the town centre and to other areas around the borough including Cheadle.

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