MILLOM residents rushed to take selfies with the jubilant prime minister when she visited the town to congratulate the new Copeland MP on an "astounding victory".

Theresa May put the town in the national spotlight when she arrived in Millom Square to shake the hand of the triumphant Copeland by-election Tory candidate Trudy Harrison , from Bootle.

Mrs Harrison sealed a historic win in the Labour stronghold of more than 80 years, with 13,748 votes. Labour's Gillian Troughton took 11,601 votes.

A crowd headed to the town centre to get a glimpse of the PM and hear from her and their new Copeland MP.

Mrs May said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be able to be here in Millom with the new Member of Parliament for Copeland, Trudy Harrison.

"This is an astounding victory for the Conservative Party, but also for the people of Copeland. Labour have held this seat since the 1930s. A party in government hasn't won a by-election in a seat held by the opposition for 35 years."

The PM said the result showed "this truly is a government that is working for everyone and for every part of the country" and added: "The reason we won this by-election is because we had such a fantastic candidate in Trudy Harrison. Trudy isn't just someone who talks about things, she actually rolls up her sleeves and gets things done and that. And the people of Copeland are going to see they have elected a Member of Parliament who is going to listen to their concerns, who is going to raise her voice. She will have the ear of government, but she will ensure she delivers for the people of Copeland."

Theresa May hails 'astounding' victory in Copeland by-election during visit to Millom

Mrs Harrison said: "I want to thank the people of Copeland for voting for me and having faith in me, and also to volunteers who travelled from all over the country to help us win this historic election.

"I'm really looking forward to getting on with the job. I'm very much forward to going to London on Monday and making sure we deliver on the plan that I have been pledging.

"Thank you very much Copeland."

Mrs May accepted a bouquet of flowers from Millom Infant School pupil Isabell Jordan, seven.

Isabell said it was "really good" to meet the PM.

Isabell's nana, Joan Newton, 60, of Millom, who voted for Mrs Harrison said: "That was great, we are really proud of Isabell.

"It shows a lot, with the prime minister coming to Millom.

"This is first time in my life I have voted Conservative. I like Jeremy Corbyn. I admired Trudy's campaign, there was no mud slinging from her.

"We want her to fight for health, jobs and the roads."

Wayne Ruddy shouted to Mrs May "any chance of a selfie Theresa?

To which she laughed and said: "I'm a bit far away from you for a selfie."

Mr Ruddy, the manager of Millom's Tornado Wire, told the Evening Mail he has a soft spot for the PM and was delighted that Millom was chosen as the place she congratulated Mrs Harrison.

Mr Ruddy voted for Mrs Harrison and said good luck to her going forward.

He said: "Taking away the political divide, it's fantastic to have a prime minister in your town."

Millom School students Tasha-Jade Pennington and Summer Jackson, both, 12, thought the PM was "cool" for having a selfie with them.

Millom councillor and mayoress, Councillor Fee Wilson, said it was a landmark day in Millom.

Historic moment for Copeland as Conservative Trudy Harrison wins by-election