Transfers from Robinson could yet win three seats for DUP

East Belfast: The Democratic Unionist Party's attempt to win three seats in the East Belfast Assembly constituency still had the possibility of success last night, following a strong performance.

The party's deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson, polled strongly, easily winning election on the first count with 9,254 votes. He brought one of his two running mates, Mr Robin Newton, a political unknown up to now, to within six votes of the 4,424 quota and he was then elected on the following count.

Mr Robinson shared 1,230 votes with his other running mate, Mr Harry Toan, though Mr Toan will face a major battle to emerge victoriously in the battle for the last of the six seats.

Sir Reg Empey of the UUP was easily elected with 6,459 first preferences - 777 of which subsequently transferred to his running mate, Mr Michael Copeland.

"The party's performance in this constituency shows that those who said the Ulster Unionist Party would be written off were wrong and badly wrong," Sir Reg said.

His other running mate, the outgoing anti-agreement Assembly member, Mr Jim Rodgers, polled badly on first preferences, receiving just 1,502, although he won 891 of the transfers on offer from Mr Empey.

The DUP's main target is the Progressive Unionist Party leader, Mr David Ervine, who won 5,114 first preferences in 1998, but he won just 2,990 first preferences on Wednesday.

Election observers in the count centre in the King's Hall believed that Mr Ervine would limp home, pointing to the 221 transfers he received in the second count.

Last night, Mr Ervine strongly criticised the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair ignoring the contribution that has been made by the smaller parties.

The Alliance Party candidate, Ms Naomi Long is still in the fight, though the cross-community party's vote was particularly affected by the lack of Dr John Alderdice from the party's ticket.