Twists and turns: how US election night unfolded

After 18 months of campaigning - often bitter, frequently bizarre, and sometimes barely believable - the race for the White House reached its climax. Here, the Press Association looks at the key moments on a night of high drama across the Atlantic:
Supporters watch the election results during Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night rally In New YorkSupporters watch the election results during Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night rally In New York
Supporters watch the election results during Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night rally In New York

11.05pm (All times in GMT) - Police in California report gunfire near a polling station in Azusa, just as the final votes are being taken. One person is reported to have died with three others injured, putting the polling station on lockdown.

12.05am - The first results of the night are in, and they are following the form guide. Donald Trump wins Indiana and Kentucky, while Hillary Clinton takes Vermont, the Associated Press news agency reports.

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12.30am - In a further early - albeit predictable - fillip for the Republicans, Trump takes West Virginia.

12.32 - Trump wins West Virginia, as expected.

01.02 - Clinton takes Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, while Trump wins in Oklahoma.

01.11 - South Carolina falls to Trump.

01.16 - Trump wins Tennessee.

01.30 - His winning run continues by taking Alabama.

01.42 - Clinton wins Rhode Island.

01.55 - Trump wins Mississippi.

01.55 - In a message which appears to betray the nervousness in the Clinton camp, the Democratic nominee thanks her supporters on Twitter "whatever happens tonight".

02.00 - Clinton wins in Illinois.

02.05 - Associated Press reports Trump victories in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. Rival Hillary Clinton takes her home state of New York.

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02.11 - Trump takes Arkansas, where Bill Clinton - husband of the Democratic candidate - was governor for more than a decade before winning the 1992 presidential election.

02.29 - Clinton hits back by taking Connecticut.

02.31 - Trump also wins in Louisiana, as financial markets around the globe begin reacting.

02.48 - Trump follows his presidential rival in posting an image to Twitter. His depicts members of his family gathered at Trump tower to watch the results come in. His wife Melania is among those present, but appears to have her eyes closed.

03.03 - Trump wins in Montana.

03.25 - Clinton wins in New Mexico.

03.28 - But within minutes, Trump claims Missouri.

03.32 - Layne Bangerter, director of the Trump for President campaign in Idaho, tells the Press Association the Republican candidate has won the race for the White House. He says: "I'm saying it's over - the voice of the people has risen up."

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03.36 - And with that, Trump wins Ohio - where voters have correctly picked every single US president since 1960.

03.39 - Trump wins in Ohio.

03.44 - Clinton claims Virginia, as expected.

03.46 - She follows it up, moments later, with confirmation of victory in Colorado - a swing state.

03.54 - But Trump's bid for the White House is boosted considerably by taking the key battleground of Florida.

04.03 - Trump wins Idaho while Clinton takes California and Hawaii.

04.09 - Clinton takes Oregon.

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04.14 - Trump wins North Carolina - considered a battleground state, having voted Democrat in 2008 and Republican in 2012.

04.33 - Washington state goes to Clinton.

04.37 - Trump takes Georgia.

04.56 - Trump's apparent march towards the White House continues with victory in Utah.

05.06 - He follows it by taking Iowa.

05.26 - Clinton wins Nevada.