TRIUMPHANT David Crausby thanked his team for fighting a "magnificent" campaign after he held his Bolton North East seat.

Taking to the stage to loud cheers from his supporters, a visibly delighted Mr Cruasby also hit out at Conservative donor Lord Ashcroft.

He said: "I am delighted and I want to thank the people who have helped me on this campaign, they have fought a magnificent campaign.

"Our campaign was against a campaign which was fed a lot of money by Lord Ashcroft but this just shows that they did not have enough money to buy democracy from the people of Bolton."

His Tory opponent Deborah Dunleavy - who was booed by the Labour supporters - looked upset as she accused other candidates of fighting a dirty tricks campaign.

She said: "I am satisfied that I fought a clean campaign that fell short but the same cannot be said for some of my opponents."

She was then forced to stop as the boos grew louder before adding: "That sort of typififies things."

She went on: "I am appalled by the personal slurs which I think are most unwelcome."

She finished by saying she was confident there would be a Tory Government nationally, to "rid the country of Gordon Brown and the awful state that he has got this country into."

Ms Dunleavy then left the Arena and refused to comment when asked by The Bolton News.

Afterwards, Mr Crausby said: "If you have accusations to make, you should make them in detail.

"She talked about the campaign fought by her opponents but as far as I am concerned she had four opponents.

"I don't know if she is picking out me or one of the other parties. Whatever she has to say she should say it clearly.

"The only thing I would say is that if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."