Three senior Conservatives were today celebrating avoiding " decapitation" by the Liberal Democrats.

Oliver Letwin, David Davis and Theresa May had all been singled out by the Lib-Dems - but held their seats with increased majorities.

Shadow chancellor Mr Letwin said he was "relieved" after winning a nail-biting battle for Dorset West. Despite a strong challenge by Lib-Dem Justine McGuinness, he took 24,763 votes to her 22,302, boosting his majority from 1,414 to 2,461.

In the East Yorkshire seat of Haltemprice and Howden, home affairs spokesman Mr Davis saw his vote share rise by more than four per cent. He won 22,792 votes to 17,676 for Liberal Democrat Jon Neal.

And Ms May saw her majority in Maidenhead double to 6,231. The Tory spokeswoman on family issues won 23,312 votes, while Lib-Dem Kathryn Newbound won 17,081.