Jenny's waiting for big win to sink in.

Byline: By Gerry Holt South Wales Echo 

After one hour's sleep Jenny Willott woke yesterday morning safe in the knowledge she is her party's first MP in the region since the Liberals' heyday in the 1920s, writes Gerry Holt.

Back into her Cardiff Central constituency just a few hours later she still can't quite believe it.

'It hasn't sunk in yet,' said Ms Willott, 'I'm looking forward to it sinking in. I feel very proud.'

The announcement of her win was just the beginning of a manic election night. She said: 'The first thing I did was go and see the team and have a glass of pink champagne - which was very welcome at that point.

'I've had one hour's sleep in the last 30 hours.'

Hailed with cheers of 'well done' and 'I knew you could do it', she was in fine mood sitting outside the Ernest Willows pub on City Road in the sunshine.

One voter, Malcolm Aitken, 66, of Newport Road, was so impressed with her win he presented her with a Grand Slam commemorative coin to say thank you.

He said: 'She's a good lady. Everybody I know voted for her. I think she's going to make a fantastic MP.'

Eric David John, 69, from Roath, was full of praise for the newly-elected MP.

He said: 'The people who came to my house to represent her were so very nice, and I read her handwritten letter and thought that was lovely. The Liberal Democrats have the best policies so she got my vote.'

The MP has not yet had chance to hand in her resignation for her current job as head of Victim Support South Wales, but is eager to get started in Westminster.

'I'm just looking forward to getting my teeth into the job. But it is going to mean a huge change to my life - I'm supposed to be in London on Monday,' she said.

But before then she takes a welcome weekend off. 2.10am The votes are in and Liberal Democrat Willott is declared winner of Cardiff Central 2.20am The MP heads for Jury's hotel and a welcome glass of pink champagne 2.30am She is mobbed by journalists 3.45am Back to the party to thank her supporters with a few more glasses of bubbly 5.15am Home for a short hour's sleep 6.50am She heads out for some more interviews and to thank constituents. YOUR VIEWS ON THE NEW MP: 'She's wonderful. She's done everything we asked and that's why I voted for her this time. She really cares about Cardiff and our area.'

- Steve Shellard, 53, Adamsdown.

'I've always voted Labour. She sent me a letter with her policies and I thought they were great. She's done really well and will make a great MP I'm sure.'

- Billy Aitken, 65, Roath.