LABOUR'S landslide victory swept away Bury's Tory MPs.

Alistair Burt, MP for Bury North since 1983, was the first to learn he had lost his seat, as Labour's David Chaytor won with a swing of over 12,000 votes.

Mr Chaytor, now MP for the town of his birth, swept away a Tory majority of 4,764 to win by 7,866, the highest ever recorded in the seat.

He said it is a great privilege to be elected for Bury North and paid tribute to his predecessor and to former Labour MPs for the town, including Frank White who was MP until 1983.

"The people in this election have given their verdict on the Tory years.

"This is a victory for new Labour, for the modernisation of socialism under the leadership of Tony Blair.

"I will do everything in my power to live up to the confidence the people of Bury North have placed in me."

An emotional Mr Burt thanked the people of Bury "for their hospitality over the past 14 years" and said he hoped Mr Chaytor and Tony Blair's Government "discharge their responsibilities to the people of Bury well."

The size of Mr Chaytor's majority surprised many pundits, but on a night when big names such as Michael Portillo and Malcolm Rifkind toppled, it was very much part of the national trend.

Mr Burt said: "This is obviously a turning point in politics, I hope the Conservative Party can learn something from tonight."

Labour's Ivan Lewis coasted to Parliament after crushing sitting Tory David Sumberg in Bury South.

Prestwich born and bred, he turned a marginal deficit into a huge 12,000 majority to become one of the country's youngest MPs at 30.

"It's a very special night for me," said a clearly elated Mr Lewis.

"I'm proud to be given the opportunity to represent the area in which I was born and have lived all my life."

Mr Sumberg congratulated Mr Lewis: "It was a great victory and I'm very sorry to leave. I have some wonderful memories, and I couldn't have asked for a better constituency." BURY NORTH David Chaytor (Lab) 28,523

Alistair Burt (Con) 20,657

Neville Kenyon (Lib Dem) 4,536

Richard Hallewell (Ref) 1,337

LABOUR GAIN. Majority: 7,866. Percentage Poll: 77.6pc.

Swing: 11.19pc BURY SOUTH Ivan Lewis (Lab) 28,658

David Sumberg (Con) 16,277

Vic D'Albert (Lib Dem) 4,227

Bryan Slater (Ref) 1,216

LABOUR GAIN. Majority: 12,433. Percentage Poll: 75pc.

Swing: 13.02pc

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