Boris Johnson has tweeted his thanks to voters after an exit poll predicted a resounding victory for the Conservative Party.
He tweeted: "Thank you to everyone across our great country who voted, who volunteered, who stood as candidates.
"We live in the greatest democracy in the world."
The BBC/Sky/ITV poll suggested the Conservative would win 368 seats, 42 above the 326 needed for an absolute majority in the House of Commons.
Labour is predicted to win 191 seats, the Scottish National Party 55, Liberal Democrats 13, the Brexit Party none, Plaid Cymru three and Greens one.
This would give the Tories a majority of 86.
The result will be seen as a triumph for Mr Johnson's tightly-controlled election campaign, which was largely gaffe-free until the final week.
It will, however, be a significant set-back for the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who will have twice led his party to defeat at the polls.
If the exit poll is correct, Labour is on course for its worst performance at a general election in terms of seats since 1935.
