JEREMY Corbyn has won the Labour leadership election to retain his role as party leader.

Mr Corbyn easily fended off the challenge of rival Owen Smith with nearly 62 per cent of the votes cast.

The result was announced at a special party conference in Liverpool and the Islington MP thanked all the members who had helped him to retain his leadership.

Speaking after the result, he said: "I will do everything I can to repay the trust and support and bring the Labour party together."

He also thanked Mr Smith for the 'good humoured debates' during the campaigns and added: "We've had and that we will continue to have because we are all part of the same Labour family".

The total number of votes cast in the leadership election were 506,438, with Mr Corbyn picking up 313,209 (61.8 per cent) compared to Mr Smith's 193,229 (38.2 per cent).  It means that Mr Corbyn, who was first elected as leader this time last year, will continue as leader of the Labour party.

Questions will now arise regarding his shadow cabinet team, with scores of high-profile ministers walking away from their positions in the summer in a bid to remove Mr Corbyn as leader.