Counting of votes continues in Northern Ireland

With the first results expected to be announced by mid-afternoon, at around 2.15pm the first MP elected was in West Belfast.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams retained a substantial 19,315 majority over his nearest rival the SDLP's Alex Atwood who polled 5,033 in the West Belfast constituency.

Political analysts expect Sinn Fein and the DUP to make extensive gains at the expense of the more moderate nationalist SDLP and Ulster Unionist parties.

Ulster Unionists have already conceded that tactical voting has taken place in some constituenticies where some unionist voters are likely to have opted to support SDLP candidates in a bid to prevent Sinn Fein gains.

However, the split unionist vote in South Belfast handed the seat to the SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell.

Frustration was evident in many candidates comments as it was over 15 hours before the first seat was declared.

105 candidates contested the 18 Westminster seats in Northern Ireland in yesterday's elections.

Counting in the local council elections does not begin until next Monday. 918 candidates stood for the 582 council seats.

Counting of votes for the 18 Westminster seats in Northern Ireland began at 9am on Friday morning.

(SP/MB)