DUP leader Gavin Robinsons says everyone saw the consequences of divided unionism in the last Stormont assembly election and now, once again, they are seeing the same again in this Westminster election

Robinson says that both he and TUV leaderJim Allister agreed to endorse a candidate in North Down, Alex Easton, and that has clearly born fruit.

He says greater cohesion between the unionist parties will help Northern Ireland moving forward.

Speaking to journalists, DUP leader Gavin Robinson says that the result in his constituency of Belfast East is a good one, but not one that has been widely predicted.

He says his expected success is reflective not only of an "incredible campaign" but that people have come out to vote for the first time in a long time for a "strong pro-union voice" in Westminster.

Addressing Jonathan Buckley's defeat in Lagan Valley, the party leader says he is "incredibly proud" and that he could not have asked for anything more.

Ian Paisley didn't stop to talk to the media has he arrived at the Meadowbank count centre in Magherafelt.

BBC News NI's Elaine McGee asked him 10 questions that were met with silence.

Paisley is currently in the political battle of his life against the TUV's Jim Allister.

He faces a huge effort to win a seat that he has held since 2010.

There are cheers and applause as Gavin Robinson arrives at the Titanic count centre.

Many party supporters have stopped to embrace him as he make his way to security.

He tells reporters his party has had a "good result" in his Belfast East constituency.

The DUP candidate for North Antrim, Ian Paisley has arrived at his count.

He was asked questions by reporters as he arrived but he didn't answer them.

He's currently neck and neck in the race with the TUV's Jim Allister to retain his seat in North Antrim.

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter

Carla Lockhart holds her seat in Upper Bann for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) with an increased majority.

She did not face a challenge from rivals Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) after the party decided against running a candidate against her.

TUV leader Jim Allister had said the "compelling reason" not to stand there was "not to assist a Sinn Féin victory".

In the end she was more than 7,000 votes and over 15 percentage points ahead of Sinn Féin's candidate, Catherine Nelson.

The result is a bright spot for the DUP in what is turning out to be a bruising election elsewhere for the party.

The first few results have already started to come through.

To watch them you'll need to refresh this page and hit the play button at the top of it.

That will take you straight to coverage of our live election night programme.

Toni Connor
Live page reporter

Alliance's Mid Ulster candidate Padraic Farrell reflects on the result and campaign.

“We have a great base to work on . We are positive we will now get a seat for future council elections!"

He polled just over 2,000 votes.

The full results for the constituency can be found here.

Gareth Gordon
BBC News NI Political Correspondent

We are hearing Gavin Robinson is just ahead in the race for Belfast East.

It looks at the moment that he is ahead of Alliance leader Naomi Long, which will be a huge relief for the DUP.

The new Mid Ulster MP Cathal Mallaghan celebrates with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou Mcdonald and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill after the declaration.

Lockhart says boundary changes are always an unknown, but increasing her vote with new constituents is "unbelievable".

"To every one of the 21,632 voters, thank you. I sincerely thank you," she says.

She adds she and her team have knocked more than 30,000 doors and handed out leaflets to achieve the result.

She thanks her family who are "her rock" and says that she will continue to work hard representing the people of Upper Bann at Westminster.

In her victory speech, an emotional Carla Lockhart says she is humbled to be elected again to represent Upper Bann, but says this campaign was "tinged with sadness" as her father died in June.

"He wasn't just my dad, he was my biggest fan and an ever-present part of the canvass team," the DUP says.

Alliance party leader Naomi Long has congratulated Sorcha Eastwood on gaining Lagan Valley from the DUP.

She wrote on X: "Fantastic result for Lagan Valley Alliance and for Sorcha Eastwood. What a breath of fresh air she will be on those green benches!"

In his concession speech, Jonathan Buckley says that for every politician, elections are difficult.

"There's hard roads, hard yards but every candidate goes out into the field to give their best," he says.

He says he was delighted to fly the flag for unionism, but the defeat is not final.

He also urges others to "spend less time throwing rocks at each other".

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter

In its 40-year history, only two people had ever been MP for Lagan Valley - now we have the third.

Alliance Party assembly member Sorcha Eastwood is the first woman and the first non-unionist to hold the seat.

Her predecessor, former Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, was MP for the area for 27 years.

Before him it was former Ulster Unionist Party leader James Molyneux.

Overturning the DUP's majority is a significant win for Alliance, off-setting expected disappointment for the party elsewhere in North Down.

Speaking about Stephen Farry's struggles in North Down, Lagan Valley's newest MP says she is disappointed for her close friend.

Having previously worked for him, Eastwood says she is "perfectly aware" of the work Farry has done during his time as an MP.

She adds that Farry was an "important voice for Northern Ireland".

"We are so grateful not just for those five years, but the legacy that he leaves behind him," she says.