RE-ELECTED Penarth assembly member Vaughan Gething has spoken of his "privilege" to be chosen to represent the area once again.

Mr Gething thanked his supporters, campaign team and the people of Cardiff South and Penarth as the result was announced on Friday.

He said: "I thank the people of this constituency for renewing their faith in me and am privileged to serve as their assembly member.

"We ran a strong campaign and had a good response on the doorstep.

"I will look forward to implementing our six key pledges including free child care and small business rate relief which will make a big difference in Penarth."

He won a majority of 6,921 with 13,274 votes.

The announcement was made at the count at around 5.50am on Friday, at the Sport Wales Centre in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

This represented an increase in his majority from 2012 of 662 votes and gave him a 43.8 per cent share of the vote.

Ben Gray of the Conservatives finished second on 6,353 (21 per cent share) with Dafydd Trystan Davies of Plaid Cymru finishing third with 4,320 (14.3 per cent)

Hugh Hughes of UKIP got 3,716 votes (12.3 per cent) with Nigel Howells of the Liberal Democrats 1,345 (4.4 per cent) and Anthony Slaughter 1,268 (4.2 per cent)

The turnout for the Cardiff South and Penarth constituency was 40.05 per cent which is a total of 30,480 votes cast.

Dafydd Trystan Davies who stood for Plaid Cymru said he was delighted to have secured the part's biggest vote ever in this constituency.

"It was a pleasure to meet so many friends on the doorsteps," he added.

"The response was warm to Plaid - and this was reflected in the number of voters in Penarth who gave us at least one of their three votes.

"Thank you to all of those who supported us on Thursday."

Anthony Slaughter, the Green Party candidate, said: "While obviously disappointed with the result for the Green Party across Wales I was pleased that our vote remained constant in Cardiff South and Penarth where we increased our share of the vote from last year’s General Election.

"This support for our Green policies was very strongly reflected in the many conversations we had with Penarth residents throughout the campaign.

"I am confident that building on that local support we will continue to grow."