A few muted cheers from the crowd followed - but they seemed to be aware of the slip.

Realising her error, Ms Collins quickly rectified it, saying: "I'm so sorry, I declare that Benjamin David Bradley has been elected and I do apologise."

Sir Alan, who had just lost the seat he'd held for 30 years to his Tory rival, smiled and seemed to take the error in good humour.

Mr Bradley's victory marked the first time the Conservatives have won the constituency since 1923.

Speaking to the Mansfield Chad, he saids: "I'm proud, so humbled to have so much support in Mansfield. I think the hard work starts now.

"Every single resident, whether they voted for me or not, I hope they give me the benefit of the doubt now and the opportunity to go out and prove that I will work so hard for this constituency.

"There's so much we can do, Mansfield has so much potential."