A TURNOUT of over 80 per cent in one area blighted by travellers coupled with protest votes for the Liberal Democrats is believed to have cost Labour’s Chris Pond his seat.

After a tense recount with a majority of 654, Conservative candidate Adam Holloway ended Mr Pond’s eight year reign in parliament - decimating his 11.1 per cent majority from 2001.

Looking visibly shell shocked by the result Mr Holloway, an ex soldier and journalist, was magnanimous in his victory speech.

He praised Mr Pond’s work for the constituency and promised to work hard for the people of Gravesham in battling anti-social behaviour.

However, while Mr Pond issued his own speech a rowdy member of the Conservative group heckled him, resulting in the man being forcibly ejected from the hall by police.

Mr Holloway was visibly embarrassed by the heckler and voiced his approval of his removal.

Despite the result not being called until 4.40am, speculation about Mr Holloway’s narrow victory, eventually giving him a 1.4 per cent majority, was whispered around the Woodville Halls in Gravesend from around 1pm.

With under 700 votes separating the two main candidates, an ashen faced Mr Pond requested a recount at around 3.30am.

While this was being undertaken he expressed his complete shock at the possibility of losing his seat - admitting that he knew he would lose some votes but never expected the result to go against him.

When pressed on why Gravesham was turning blue he speculated that the high turn out in Sole Street, where residents have been protesting about an illegal travellers encampment and a few protest votes to the Liberal Democrats - whose candidate Bruce Parmenter increased his number of votes by 820 - could have cost him his seat.

Earlier wife Lorraine had been speaking proudly of their daughter’s victory school elections. However, by the end of the evening there was to be only one winner in the Pond household.