Tory MP John Bercow has won the race to replace Michael Martin as Speaker of the Commons.

Mr Bercow topped all three secret ballots - beating his only challenger in the third, Sir George Young - by 51 votes.

The self-styled "clean-break candidate," widely regarded as more popular on the Labour benches than his own, secured victory after promising a period of change and reform.

He succeeds Mr Martin, who last week became the first Speaker in 300 years forced to step down because of his handling of the expenses scandal.

Voting in the third and final ballot - after all the other contenders had been eliminated or dropped out - was 322 for Mr Bercow and 271 for Tory former Cabinet minister Sir George.

Cheers and applause broke out in the Commons chamber when the result was announced.

In keeping with tradition, Mr Bercow was 'reluctantly dragged' to the Speaker's chair by his supporters.

The last two holders of the office, Mr Martin and Betty Boothroyd, were both from the Labour ranks.

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