THE SNP has secured its first gain of the Holyrood election after winning East Lothian.

The party took the seat with a majority of 1,179 over Labour, which has held the constituency since the start of devolution. 

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It is the first of the key marginals to be declared in the Scottish Parliament election, and the first opposition-held seat the SNP has taken.

The SNP secured 17,968 votes to Labour's 16,789.

Labour sources had declared the constituency battle "close" ahead of the declaration.