A DELIGHTED Dave Watts successfully defended St Helens North but admitted that he was concerned by the depressingly low turn out of voters.

Labour secured the seat with a majority of 15,901, but this was 7,516 fewer than in 1997.

Speaking to the Star on Friday morning, following Labour's national landslide victory, Dave said: "I am delighted with the result and I would like to thank Labour voters and party members who worked so hard in the campaign. On the downside the turn out was disappointing to say the least."

Dave laid the blame for the poor turn out on the opinion polls, which he believes made people believe the election was a foregone conclusion.

Meanwhile, he is intent on repairing the national image of St Helens now that the media bandwagon that followed the St Helens South saga has gone away.

"I am hoping to talk to a national newspaper to try and show the positive side of St Helens, getting the message across that St Helens has had a great past and a great future. Painting a picture of a town that is going places, confident and doing the right things."

The St Helens North MP will now turn his attention to fulfilling his pre-election pledges.

Dave realises that the public expects Labour to deliver in the key issues of health, jobs, education and crime - and he outlined his vision for St Helens in the next four years: "Hopefully we will have a town where unemployment falls, there is better healthcare in terms of buildings and equipment, and a continued investment programme in schools."