SNP candidate Ronnie Cowan has been overwhelmingly re-elected in Inverclyde.

Mr Cowan said 'Christmas has come early' after he was returned with over 19,000 votes - increasing his majority by over 7,000 and with just under 50 per cent share of the vote.

Labour's Martin McCluskey was second with just under 12,000 votes in what has been a miserable election result for the party as a whole.

The Conservative candidate Haroun Malik was third with Liberal Democrat, Jacci Stoyle, last in fourth place.

*See Friday's Tele for full reaction, analysis and photographs from the count in Greenock Town Hall.