A tense evening saw Labour narrowly hold Wiral South as Alison McGovern was elected with a majority of just 531.
It was a nail-biting win for Ms McGovern, 29, who saw off a strong challenge from Conservative candidate, Jeff Clarke, who many observers had tipped to take advantage of the fact that the popular Labour MP for the area, Ben Chapman, had announced his retirement following allegations made in the recent expenses scandal.
An impressive turnout of 71.4%, which was as high as almost 80% in some wards, saw long queues forming and the announcement of the result delayed until 5am.
Ms McGovern, who grew up in Bromborough, has previously been a local councillor, and has worked in policy and public affairs in the rail industry and cultural sector.
Speaking moments after her narrow victory, Ms McGovern said: "It's a stunning result for the Labour Party. I don't think anyone thought we'd so well and there were those in the Conservative Party who said we were dead and buried but we've worked hard and stood up for what people want."
Ms McGovern, whose late grandfather was famous folk singer and activist Peter McGovern, writer of Liverpool anthem 'In My Liverpool Home', pleged to make working with employers and trade unions to ensure young people are provided with jobs and training, her priority.
She said: "We will work hard to keep things on track and stand up for the local economy."
WIRRAL SOUTH CONSTITUENCY RESULT 2010
LABOUR HOLD
Jeff Clarke (Conservative) 15,745
Alison McGovern (Labour) 16,276
Jamie Sadler (Lib Dem) 6,611
David Scott (UKIP) 1,274
Turn-out: 71.41% (67.5% in 2005)
Marie Rea ( Parry ), Liverpool around 2 years ago