The Ukip vote in its former Great Yarmouth heartland has collapsed.

Eastern Daily Press: Mike Smith-Clare, Labour, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George RyanMike Smith-Clare, Labour, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George Ryan (Image: Archant)

The party came third in 2015 with a 18.3pc increase on the previous election.

This time their candidate Catherine Blaiklock only just held on to her deposit after

Conservative Brandon Lewis was re-elected with an increased majority.

Eastern Daily Press: Catherine Blaiklock, Conservative, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George RyanCatherine Blaiklock, Conservative, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George Ryan (Image: Archant)

MORE: General Election night 2017, as it happenedHe polled 23,901 votes, compared against the 19,089 cast for him in 2015.

Mr Lewis said it was an honour to be re-elected for a third time, but refused to speculate on his party's standing nationally.

Labour's Mike Smith-Clare polled 15,928, an increase in the Labour vote of 3,000.

He said he was very pleased to have increased his part's vote share and would keep on campaigning to increase it further.

Eastern Daily Press: James Joyce, Lib Dem, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George RyanJames Joyce, Lib Dem, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George Ryan (Image: Archant)

The Lib Dem's James Joyce polled 987 and the Green Party's Harry Lee Webb got 563 votes.

Turnout was down 1.6pc on the previous election at 62.1pc.

Eastern Daily Press: Harry Webb, Green, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George RyanHarry Webb, Green, Great Yarmouth, General Election 2017. Photo: George Ryan (Image: Archant)