Fifty-two-year-old Mr Lloyd had been confident throughout the close-fought election campaign and was delighted to be announced as the town's MP.

In 2005, after Tory MP Nigel Waterson retained his seat, Mr Lloyd promised voters he would stand in the next election and said, "We are here to stay. My God I am proud to be a Lib Dem."

He was true to his word and echoed those sentiments in the early hours of Friday morning as he celebrated his victory at Eastbourne Town Hall before going on to a party at the Afton Hotel.

He made an emotive speech and said, "Five years ago when I walked in I was told that I had won the election and this time I was told that I had lost, so it goes to show what a topsy turvy business politics is.
"I will never ever forget for the rest of my life the privilege I have been given."

He said the result was a great success for the Lib Dems. "This is a victory for change and a victory for change in Eastbourne. Change which this great nation will see."

Mr Lloyd also thanked his team of supporters who were jubilant as the results were announced by the mayor of Eastbourne Greg Szanto. He said his team had put in a great deal of hard work during the campaign in the few weeks before the election and for many, many years.
Mr Lloyd also paid tribute to Nigel Waterson and said he wished him and his family all the best for the future.

Mr Lloyd moved to Eastbourne nine years ago where he met his partner Cherine. He lives in Old Town close to her and her two sons.
He had been working in Lewisham as a consultant for the Federation of Small Businesses.

A former actor (albeit a self-confessed unsuccessful one!), Stephen appeared in Dr Who and 'Allo 'Allo under a stage name. He was born and brought up in Kenya and was educated in the UK from the age of eight.
A divorcee, Stephen has lived in London, where he worked in the City and, more recently, as a director for a business improvement company.
He is a school governor at Ocklynge School, a former trustee of national charity, the RNID and a trustee of local charity WELMind.