THE Conservatives looked to be narrowly ahead as counting finally got under way in Wirral West in the early hours.

Candidates were told to expect a long night as high turnouts and a last-minute surge at polling stations delayed the counting of votes.

Counting finally got under way just after 3.30am, three hours behind schedule.

The turnout was 72% – up from 67.5% in 2005, when Labour's Stephen Hesford took the seat by just 1,097 votes from Conservative candidate Esther McVey.

A total of 39,505 votes were cast – 9,943 postal votes and 29,562 at polling stations across the constituency.

Wirral West has been viewed as a key battleground in the election, with Conservative Esther McVey widely expected to take the seat.

Earlier, the former television presenter said she was feeling positive and had "done everything a candidate could do".

Labour's Phil Davies said: "I'm very upbeat, very positive and I think we've had a really good campaign. I've been taken aback by how positive people have been on the doorstep.

"I've heard there could have been a really, really high turnout, which I welcome – it's a sign of a good, vibrant democracy." Ms McVey said: "I just know I've done the best I can do.

“We've worked hard on community issues like keeping libraries open and we worked to get a new dentist in Greasby.

"There's not much more a candidate could do and I'm so proud of my campaign team."

Liberal Democrat candidate Peter Reisdorf said: "We know the turnout has been very high in Wirral West. I think the Nick Clegg effect may have helped me but it's too early to say to what extent."

Independent candidate David Kirwan conceded defeat early on, and blamed the media for making voters panic about the possibility of the polls finishing with a hung Parliament.

He said: "The press have fanned the flames of deep concern about the result of a hung Parliament.

"At the last minute, there has been a massive swing back to the main parties, with the possible exception of the Liberal Democrats.

"As a result, the smaller parties and independents like me, who stood a good chance up to 72 hours ago, have been squeezed out.

"I was hoping to finish third and beat the Liberal Democrat candidate.”