A snippet of info from BBC Radio Bristol's political reporter Pete Simson.

Chair of Bristol And South Gloucestershire Conservatives Charles Lucas said: “If the exit poll is to be believed we’re in for the most exciting Tory night in many a year.”

Justin Tomlinson has been re-elected as the MP for Swindon North, with an increased majority.

The Conservative candidate beat Labour's Kate Linnegar by 16,171 votes, 7,836 more votes than the majority at the 2017 election.

Katie Critchlow of the Liberal Democrats came third and the Green Party's Andy Bentley came fourth.

• General election 2019: Latest national results
• Election 2019: Election words and phrases explained

Voter turnout was down by 1.6 percentage points since the last general election.

More than 55,000 people, roughly two-thirds of those eligible to vote, went to polling stations across the area on Thursday, in the first December general election since 1923.

One of the four candidates, Andy Bentley (Green) lost his £500 deposit after failing to win 5% of the vote.

This story was created using some automation.

From the Wells count, BBC Points West's Clinton Rogers says Tory candidate James Heappey is in a positive mood.

“The exit poll is clearly very encouraging but the night is young," he said.

"Our focus here is on the count in the Wells constituency where early indications give us cause for optimism."

The seat has been held by Justin Tomlinson, who first won it in 2010. He took 32,584 votes. Labour took 16,413. Turnout was 67.15%.

Daniel Garrett
BBC News

The count in Swindon has moved from the Oasis leisure centre to the Steam Museum.

Ian Surtees, deputy manager of Steam, said: “It’s a privilege for the museum to host the count.

"Without the railways there wouldn’t be a Swindon and to have the election count here means the world to us. Hopefully many more to come.”

All bar four wards in Bristol South have been verified. Counting is under way for two of them.

The seat has been held since 2015 by Labour's Karin Smyth.

Martin Jones
Producer, BBC Sunday Politics West

At the last election Wells was held by the Tories with a majority of over 7,500 – yet in this campaign it has been one of the Lib Dems’ key West Country targets.

They have a well-known candidate in former MP Tessa Munt, and a large part of the constituency voted Remain – narrowly – in the EU referendum.

But recent polling has suggested the Tories are still out in front.

Conservative candidate James Heappey is confident of holding his seat, in a constituency won by the Tories in 24 of the last 25 General Elections.

The only other candidate standing is Labour’s Kama McKenzie. Labour’s vote share increased last time but they still lag far behind in the polls.

Two notable absences could have a big impact. The Brexit Party decision to stand down in Tory-held seats like Wells is seen as a boost to the Conservatives. But the Greens stepping aside to allow the Lib Dems an easier ride could boost their vote.

Santa has joined the count in Cheltenham!

It's the first December election held in the UK since 1923.

Somerton and Frome Liberal Democrat candidate Adam Boyden says it's “all to play for” despite the exit poll predicting a Conservative hold.

“It’s been played” says Conservative Somerset county councillor Clare Paul in response.

“Complacency is always dangerous, but I’m feeling quietly confident,” says Conservative county councillor David Hall.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, who has represented Swindon South since 2010, arrived at the count at the STEAM site with Justin Tomlinson, who won the Swindon North seat in the same year.

The Conservative leader of Swindon Borough Council David Reynard said: “I’m feeling very positive we’ll hold both Swindon seats with increased majorities, and looking at the ballot papers on the tables that is going to be quite comfortable.”

People taking part in the count in Stroud have stocked up on sugary provisions to help them through the night.

Lesley Williams, Labour leader on Gloucestershire County Council says: “I’m feeling very optimistic David Drew will retain his seat. We have a very well liked MP and we fully expect to see him return.”

A Labour source at the count in Swindon has blamed the party leader for their predicted defeat.

"We won't have lost this election because of Brexit, we'll have lost it because of Jeremy Corbyn," they told our reporter Dan O'Brien.

You can follow Dan's tweets here, external.

A fire alarm has gone off at the Cheltenham count, and an evacuation was started.

But everyone is back in now and operations have resumed.

The count is taking place at the leisure centre.

The BBC's seat-by-seat prediction is forecasting some constituencies changing hands by tomorrow morning.

Cheltenham is predicted to be a Lib Dem gain, while the Conservatives are on course to take Stroud. Bristol North West is currently seen as 'too close to call'.

Those are the predictions as they stand, but can change as the night unfolds.

Ballot boxes have begun to arrive at counting stations across the West of England.

But while there is always a race to be the first to declare in the North West, we'll have to wait a bit longer than Newcastle and Sunderland for the first results.

Martin Jones
Producer, BBC Sunday Politics West

Brexit was a key factor in Bristol North West at the last election – and could be again this time.

Labour’s Darren Jones unexpectedly won the seat from the Conservatives’ Charlotte Leslie in the snap 2017 election – crediting strong support from Remainers.

He has repeatedly emphasised his passion for staying in the EU ever since.

But will Remain backers stick with him this time?

He’s up against the Conservatives’ Mark Weston, a well-known local councillor who supports leaving the EU.

BBC Points West reporter Andrew Plant is at the count in Bristol North West, where ballot boxes have arrived for the count.

BBC Points West reporter Ali Vowles is at the count at the University of Bath training village, where the first ballot boxes have arrived.

And our team in Chippenham have been sending back shots from the Olympia Leisure Centre where the count is under way.

Image source, Getty Images

The results of an exit poll for the BBC, ITV and Sky News puts the Conservatives on course for winning an overall majority of 86.

The results of this poll, conducted at 144 polling stations, are used to predict how many seats each party has won, and who might form a government.

The first results usually come in about an hour after the close of the polls.

The rest of the results - and there are 650 constituencies in the UK - are declared throughout the night and into the next day. Most counts will be completed by 06:00 GMT.

You can find out more here.

Good evening and welcome to our night of political coverage from the digital team in the West.

Throughout the night, we'll be bringing you the latest news as results are announced

Voters will be able to select 29 MPs across the region and ultimately who will be in charge of the next UK government.

In 2017, the Conservatives won 23 of the total 29 seats, Labour won five and the Liberal Democrats one.

An exit poll released as voting ceased at 10pm predicted an overall Conservative majority of 86.