Four years ago Labour's Albert Owen captured the seat which had been held by Plaid Cymru's Ieuan Wyn Jones for 14 years until he gave up Westminster for the Welsh Assembly. Defending an 800 majority, Mr Owen made the short journey from his home on the outskirts of Holyhead early to cast his vote at the Llaingoch Community Centre. A spokesman at his party office in Holyhead said: "I can only speak for what has been happening around the town but the turnout has been good, very steady indeed." Meanwhile Plaid Cymru's Eurig Wyn, who held a 4% lead over Labour in an opinion poll near the start of the campaign, voted in the village of Llanrhuddlad. Outspoken Indpendent candidate Peter Rogers, who had been spurned by the Conservatives, waited late in the day to vote. "It is a tactical decision," he quipped.. * ONE of the most ferocious battles of this election was fought out in CLWYD WEST where Labour desperately strove to retain a seat held by Gareth Thomas. Mr Thomas scraped victory in 2001 with a 1,115 vote majority over the then Conservative candidate Jimmy James. This time Mr James stood as an Independent backed by ex-Tatton MP, Martin Bell. Thomas had only narrowly won the seat at the 1997 Election with a 1,848 majority over Tory Rod Richards. In 2001 the turn-out was reasonably high at 64.12pc but it was unclear whether yesterday's turn-out would exceed that figure. Deputy acting returning officer Colin Pierce reported "steady" voting throughout the day. Many ballot boxes had to be brought to the count in Colwyn Leisure Centre in Colwyn Bay from the Ruthin area in a constituency which also encompasses the coastal strip around Rhyl. * PLAID Cymru's leader in the House of Commons, Elfyn Llwyd, saw a turnout of 20,915, just over 62% in the sprawling MEIRIONNYDD NANT CONWY seat he has held since 1992. That amounted to just over 1% down on 2001. Most pundits were expecting him to regain his seat when the count was made at Canolfan Hamdden Glan Wnion leisure centre, Dolgellau. | 
