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Jeremy Corbyn was on track tonight for a record 6th victory in the Parliamentary Beard of the Year contest.

Last-minute tweeting from Diane Abbott helped him soar ahead of the SNP's Stewart McDonald minutes before polls closed - an echo of his bid to enter the Labour leadership race.

As the online vote closed at 6pm tonight Mr Corbyn appeared to be on 41% to Mr McDonald's 38%.

Beard Liberation Front spokesman Keith Flett said the winner will be announced formally tomorrow - but he has already messaged Mr Corbyn to congratulate him.

"I think it's fair to say he won by a whisker," Mr Flett told the Mirror.

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"There was a late surge. I think Diane Abbott might have had something to do with it. We'll of course keep a close eye to make sure everything was done right."

Mr Corbyn has won the award more than any other MP, claiming the coveted certificate in 2001, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Other winners have included George Galloway and the late Robin Cook.

(Image: Dan Kitwood)

The contest's popularity soared this year as rivalry brewed between Mr Corbyn, his SNP rival and Wales Secretary Stephen Crabb - the first bearded Tory cabinet minister for more than a century.

Mr Flett said around 3,000 people took part in the online poll this year compared to 1,000 a year ago.

As polls closed Mr Crabb was trailing in third place with just 8% of the vote.