RED hot Labour romped home in "safe" Bolton South-east with a massive majority of more than 21,000.

While there was never any doubt that chemistry lecturer Brian Iddon was on his way to Westminster, the scale of the victory shocked even the staunchest Labour supporter.

Dr Iddon, a Bolton councillor, said: "It is a tremendous result and it has been the result of a superb effort from everyone working in Bolton South-east."

With a 11.78 swing to Labour, he almost doubled David Young's 1992 majority.

He said: "It is a great privilege to be elected to this position and I promise that I will do my best for the people of Bolton South-east.

A former chairman of Bolton's housing committee, he pledged that housing will be a major interest when he takes up his seat in the House of Commons. Aged 56, Dr Iddon was accompanied at last night's count by his wife Eileen and elder daughter Sally and her Australian husband Andrew. He also has another daughter Sheena.

For Dr Iddon, the "real" battle was won when he ousted former MP David Young in a bitter re-selection battle and became the Labour candidate in this Labour stronghold.

A disappointed Tory candidate Paul Carter knew he was a victim of the national swing to Labour.

But he said: "We will re-group and we will be back."

The Referendum Party candidate Bill Pickering and the Natural Law candidate Lewis Walch (correct) both lost their deposits. BOLTON SOUTH EAST

Brian Iddon (Lab) 29,856

Paul Carter (Con) 8,545

Frank Harasiwka (Lib Dem) 3,805

Bill Pickering (Ref) 973

Lewis Walch (Nat Law) 170

LABOUR HOLD.

Majority: 21,311. Percentage Poll: 64.77pc. Swing: 11.78pc to Labour.

1992 result: D Young (Lab) 26,906; N Wood-Dow (Con) 14,215; D Lee (Lib Dem) 5,244; W Hardman (Ind Dem) 2,894; L Walch (Nat Law) 290. Majority 12,691.

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