THE dominant era of the Conservative Party in North Shropshire is over as the Liberal Democrats pulled off a sensational victory on Friday morning. 

After a turnout of 46.3 per cent and 38,110 votes cast overall, the Liberal Democrats won the by-election triggered by the resignation of Owen Paterson, who was caught up in a sleaze scandal.

Its candidate Helen Morgan was elected with a incredible majority of 5,925 in what will be a body blow to Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who now faces the prospect of a vote of no-confidence from his own party.

Ms Morgan overturned the Conservative majority of 23,000 just two years after recording only 5,000 plus votes, receiving 17,957 in 2021.

The beaten Conservative candidate Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst came second with 12,032 votes while Labour's Ben Wood, who was hoping to build on his party's 12,000 plus votes in 2019, received a disappointing 3,686. 

The night was a huge celebration for the Lib Dems who targeted the seat to build on their success in Chesham and Amersham earlier this year. 

Oswestry's Duncan Kerr, standing for the Green Party, received 1,738 votes in fourth place.