A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

PSNI officers walk into the South Belfast Polling Station at St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Ulster Unionist party leader Robin Swan pictured with daughter Freya at Kells and Conor primary school as he casts his vote for this years Westminster Elections. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Ulster Unionist party leader Robin Swan pictured with daughter Freya at Kells and Conor primary school as he casts his vote for this years Westminster Elections. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives to cast her vote in the General Election at a polling station at Broomhouse Community Hall in Glasgow. Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaving Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, having cast her vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A voter arrives at Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, to cast a vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A man photographs his dog outside a polling station at Lillington Gardens Community Centre in Pimlico, London, as people cast their votes in the General Election. Yui Mok/PA Wire

Leader of Traditional Unionist Voice Jim Allister and wife Ruth Allister pictured after voting at Connor Primary School in Kells. Picture By: Arthur Allison: Pacemaker.

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves a polling station after casting his vote in north London on June 8, 2017, as Britain holds a general election. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel Leal-OlivasDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip leave after casting their votes in the General Election at a polling station in the village of Sonning. Pic: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Ulster Unionist party leader Robin Swan pictured with daughter Freya at Kells and Conor primary school as he casts his vote for this years Westminster Elections. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Voting begins in the Westminster General Election at polling stations across the UK open. Sinn Fein candidate for north Belfast John Finucane, son of murder solicitor Pat Finucane, and his mother Geraldine cast their vote at Rosemary presbyterian Church. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Voting begins in the Westminster General Election at polling stations across the UK open. Sinn Fein candidate for north Belfast John Finucane, son of murder solicitor Pat Finucane, and his mother Geraldine cast their vote at Rosemary presbyterian Church. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, arrives at Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, to cast her vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill (right) with Westminster candidate Francis Molloy (centre) and MLA Linda Dillon (left) at St Patrick's Primary School in Clonoe, Co Tyrone before casting their votes in the 2017 General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill arrives at a polling station at St Patrick's primary school in Annaghmore, Clonoe to cast her vote in the General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives at a polling station to cast his vote in north London on June 8, 2017, as Britain holds a general election. As polling stations across Britain open on Thursday, opinion polls show the outcome of the general election could be a lot tighter than had been predicted when Prime Minister Theresa May announced the vote six weeks ago. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Alliance Party leader and East Belfast candidate Naomi Long and her husband Michael pictured at St Colmcilles Parish Church in east Belfast where they cast their vote. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Pedestrians walk past election posters in west Belfast on June 8, 2017 as Britain votes in the general election. Polls opened in Britain today in an election Prime Minister Theresa May had expected to win easily but one that has proved increasingly hard to predict after a campaign shadowed by terrorism. / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITHPAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images

Toby, a beagle cross waits for his master outside a polling station on the Glen road on June 8, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Voting in the general election is underway with Northern Ireland candidates contesting 18 seats. Counting will take place through the night at seven count centres in the province with the first results expected at around 1am. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day.Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow (not pictured), at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

General views of the election count at Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena for North Antrim and Mid Ulster. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

The ballot boxes are opened for West Tyrone at the election count in Omagh. Picture: Ronan McGrade/Pacemaker Press

Daniel McCrossan, SDLP candidate for West Tyrone at the election count in Omagh. Picture: Ronan McGrade/Pacemaker Press

DUP's Gregory Campbell at the election count at Foyle Arena Derry for Foyle and East Londonderry. Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye.

UUP Leader Robin Swan pictured at the election count at Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena for North Antrim and Mid Ulster. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

TUV Leader Jim Allister pictured at the election count at Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena for North Antrim and Mid Ulster. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Eamonn McCann pictured at the election count at Foyle Arena Derry for Foyle and East Londonderry. Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye.

The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim Alliance's David Ford. Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye.

Barry McElduff, Sinn Fein candidate for West Tyrone at the election count in Omagh. Picture: Ronan McGrade/Pacemaker Press

The DUP's candidate for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson pictured at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Michelle Gildernew pictured at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye.

Lady Sylvia Hermon (Independent) running in the North Down talking to Mike Nesbitt (UUP) during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye

Clare Bailey, Green Party pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Emma Little Pengelly, Democratic Unionist Party pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Peter Robinson pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Former First Minister Peter Robinson and his daughter Rebekah pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Paul Maskey, left, with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Lady Sylvia Hermon (Independent) retains her seat in North Down. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye

DUP candidate for Lagan Valley Jeffery Donaldson pictured at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition after being elected as the MP for the area. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Nigel Dodds, Emma Little-Pengelly and Gavin Robinson pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North.Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Pacemaker press 09/06/2017 General Elections in NI. Pictured are Nigel and Dianne Dodds of the DUP during tonights results. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press

PACEMAKER BELFAST 09/06/2017 Gregory Campbell with his wife Frances after he was re-elected to represent East Londonderry

9 / 6 / 17 PACEMAKER PRESS Francie Molloy wins the Mid Ulster seat for Sinn Féin in the UK Parlimentary Election. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS

Pacemaker press 09/06/2017 General Elections in NI. Pictured is Gavin Robinson of the DUP. Picture Mark Marlow/pacemaker press

PressEye-Northern Ireland- 8th June 2017-Picture by Brian Little/PressEye Lady Sylvia Hermon (Independent) winner of North Down during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye

PressEye-Northern Ireland- 8th June 2017-Picture by Brian Little/PressEye Jim Shannon (DUP) winner of Strangford with his electoral agent Simon Hamilton during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Barry McElduff celebrates at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone.Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Michelle Gildernew celebrates at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Tom Elliott pictured at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone.Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye.

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 Westminster General Election 2017 Sinn Fein candidate for Newry and Armagh Mickey Brady pictured celebrating after he wins the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 Westminster General Election 2017 The DUP's candidate for Upper Bann David Simpson pictured celebrating after he wins the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 Westminster General Election 2017 SDLP candidate for South Down Margaret Ritchie pictured after loosing her seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 Westminster General Election 2017 Sinn Fein candidate for South Down Chris Hazzard celebrates after winning the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 8th June 2017 Westminster General Election 2017 DUP candidate for Lagan Valley Jeffery Donaldson pictured at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition after being elected as the MP for the area. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim UUP Danny Kinahan Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim DUP's Paul Girvan Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim DUP's Sammy Wilson Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 Elisha McCallion (Sinn Féin) pictured at the election count at Foyle Arena Derry for Foyle and East Londonderry. Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 Mark Durkan (SDLP) pictured at the election count at Foyle Arena Derry for Foyle and East Londonderry. Photo by Freddie Parkinson / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General election 2017 Ian Paisley pictured at the election count at Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena for North Antrim after keeping his seat. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 Naomi Long pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 Alasdair McDonnell with his wife and family pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 Emma Little-Pengelly with Peter Robinson pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 Paul Maskey, left, with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams pictured at the election count at Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast for Belfast South, Belfast West, Belfast East and Belfast North. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), former DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson (R) watch on during the Belfast count centre (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The DUP and Sinn Fein have made significant gains in Northern Ireland at the expense of the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP as voters returned to the polls for the second time in three months, electing 18 MPs in the General Election.

The DUP will return to the House of Commons with 10 MPs, including new faces Emma Little Pengelly and Paul Girvan, after increasing their vote share by over 10% since 2015.

The results mean the DUP hold an influential position at Westminster as a result of the hung parliament, and party leader Arlene Foster declared it a "good night for the Union", amid reports Prime Minister Theresa May brokered a deal with the party that will allow her to form a new government.

Sinn Fein has also enjoyed a larger mandate, winning seven seats, including newcomers Elisha McCallion, Chris Hazzard and Barry McElduff, increasing their vote share by 5%.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams made clear there was "no danger whatsoever" of his party ditching its abstentionist policy.

Mr Adams also said he could not see Prime Minister Theresa May surviving in her post.

“Theresa May sought a mandate for Brexit, austerity and the erosion of human rights. She got her comeuppance," he said.

Independent MP Lady Sylvia Hermon was also returned - albeit with a significantly smaller majority.

The SDLP has lost its three seats, whose incumbents were former party leaders Alasdair McDonnell, Margaret Ritchie and Mark Durkan, while the Ulster Unionists lost the two seats previously held by Tom Elliott and Danny Kinahan.

Sinn Fein made history by taking the SDLP's seat in Foyle, also capturing their South Down stronghold. They also captured Fermanagh & South Tyrone back from the UUP.

The DUP replaced the SDLP in South Belfast, wrested back South Antrim from the UUP and saw off the challenges of the Alliance Party and Sinn Fein in East and North Belfast respectively.

Counting in Northern Ireland concluded shortly after 4.30am on Friday.

Results in full:

Belfast Telegraph