Jill Mortimer has become the first Conservative candidate to win the seat of Hartlepool in a historic by-election.
The newly-elected MP claimed victory with a majority of 6,940 - 51.9 per cent of the votes - following an overnight count after polls closed at 10pm on Thursday, May 6.
The seat had been held by Labour since it was created in 1974, and the result has been described as a "crushing blow" for the losing party.
But who is the new Tory MP and what do we know about her?
Ms Mortimer, who is the first female elected MP in the constituency, is from Thirsk in North Yorkshire.
She is a farmer and a councillor in Hambleton, where she currently lives - although she has said she will now look to buy a home in Hartlepool.
Ms Mortimer was previously the Conservative candidate for Leeds East at the 2019 general election - but lost by 5,531 votes to Labour's Richard Burgon who has held the seat since 2015.
She previously lived in London and overseas, including on the Cayman Islands in the Carribean.
The Conservative Party said their candidate had no financial connections to the island and moved there with her children because of her ex-husband's job.
Speaking after her victory in Hartlepool, Ms Mortimer said the result was “truly historic”.
“Labour have taken people in Hartlepool for granted for too long. I heard this time and time again on the doorstep,” she said.
She told reporters following the count: “I’m just overwhelmed by the support of the people of Hartlepool.
“It confirms what I heard on the doorstep – they just want positive change, and that’s what we’re going to bring them.
“This town needs to be regenerated, it has been in decline for a long time. There is so much to do. I’ve got a great big long list and I’ll be on it.”
Ms Mortimer said she will now start looking for a home in the constituency.
“I will have a home in Hartlepool without a doubt. I will be going to the estate agents, probably this weekend if I get a minute,” she said.
