STEPHEN Lloyd says it’s great to be back after regaining his Eastbourne seat this morning.

The LibDem – who was MP between 2010 and 2015 – has beaten Tory candidate Caroline Ansell by 1609 votes.

She has been the MP for the last two years.

Mr Lloyd said: “I want to thank the people of Eastbourne because it is a town I love.

“I promise I am going to work as hard as I did before.

“The support from the people has been just amazing.”

He said it had been a disaster for the Tories nationally.

“I pay tribute to Labour for their performance and the LibDems are clearly coming back across the country which I believe is very important.

“There is a need for liberals because that is what parliament needs at what is going to become an increasingly difficult time.

Defeated Caroline Ansell said it has been a privilege to serve Eastbourne.

She said: “My team has been just the best and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“I have a great love for my home town and maybe my day will come again.”

Stephen Lloyd secured 26,924 votes with Caroline Ansell receiving 25,315 votes.

Labour’s Jake Lambert had 4671 votes and Green Alex Hough 510 votes.

Mr Lloyd secured 46.9 per cent of the vote.

Turnout was 73.03 per cent.