Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was looking forward to working with the new US President.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was looking forward to working with the new US President.

In a statement, Mr Brown said: "I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the Presidency of the United States.

"I would also like to pay tribute to Senator McCain who fought a good campaign and has shown the characteristic dignity that has marked a lifetime of service to his country.

"The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security.

"I know Barack Obama and we share many values."

Obama wins: 10 days early

Readers of the New Mexico Sun News must be wondering what all the fuss is about.

For them the election ended 10 days ago when the paper carried the headline: Obama Wins!

The bi-monthly paper couldn't wait until its next edition - three days after the election - to declare the result, so it called it for Barack Obama on October 26.

The editors said: "When it comes to calling the winner of a presidential election, everyone wants to be first.

"The New Mexico Sun News hereby claims that achievement."

Five-hour fight for actor Tim to cast his vote

Actor Tim Robbins had to fight a five-hour battle with election officials before being allowed to cast his vote.

When the Oscar winner arrived at his Manhattan polling centre, officials told him his name was missing from the register.

Robbins said he had been voting in the same district since 1992, and had not missed one election, or changed his address.

But it took five hours - and a judge's order - to persuade officials to allow him to vote.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was looking forward to working with the new US President. In a statement, Mr Brown said: "I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the Presidency of the United States. "I would also like to pay tribute to Senator McCain who fought a good campaign and has shown the characteristic dignity that has marked a lifetime of service to his country. "The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security. "I know Barack Obama and we share many values."

Obama wins: 10 days early

Readers of the New Mexico Sun News must be wondering what all the fuss is about. For them the election ended 10 days ago when the paper carried the headline: Obama Wins! The bi-monthly paper couldn't wait until its next edition - three days after the election - to declare the result, so it called it for Barack Obama on October 26. The editors said: "When it comes to calling the winner of a presidential election, everyone wants to be first. "The New Mexico Sun News hereby claims that achievement."

Five-hour fight for actor Tim to cast his vote

Actor Tim Robbins had to fight a five-hour battle with election officials before being allowed to cast his vote. When the Oscar winner arrived at his Manhattan polling centre, officials told him his name was missing from the register. Robbins said he had been voting in the same district since 1992, and had not missed one election, or changed his address. But it took five hours - and a judge's order - to persuade officials to allow him to vote.

The early ballot from Barack Obama's dead grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, will be valid in the US election. Hawaii state elections chief Kevin Cronin said state law typically would require an absentee ballot cast by someone who dies before Election Day to be discarded. However, that would only be if certification of death is received from the state Department of Health before the election.

President George Bush phoned Mr Obama to congratulate him on his victory. He told him: "What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters. "You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself." Mr Bush also called John McCain and told him: "You gave it your all. I'm sorry it didn't work out."

First Minister Alex Salmond sent congratulations to the President-elect along with an invita-tion to visit Scotland during 2009's Year of Homecoming. Mr Salmond said the poll result marked a "new era of hope" and added that Mr Obama, who has Scottish ancestry, would be welcomed here along with the countless others from around the world who claim a Scottish connection.

Tory leader David Cameron today said Mr Obama was the first of a new generation of world leaders. "America has made history," Mr Cameron said. "People everywhere are crying out for change. Barack Obama is the first of a new generation of leaders who will deliver it. "This is an important moment not just for America but for the world."