THE only SNP MP to quit Westminster for a chance at the Scottish Parliament has won his seat.

But Neil Gray didn't have time to celebrate before carrying out his first duty as an MPS – picking up the milk for teacher wife Karlie and their children.

Gray had to step down from his Airdrie and Shotts Westminster seat to stand for the same area in the Scottish Parliament as veteran MSP Alex Neil retires.

The move put him head-to-head with Labour challenger Richard Leonard.

Today Gray was announced as the winner with 16,139 votes to the former Scottish Labour leader's 10,671.

But in after the result was announced, Gray became so swept up that wife Karlie had to use Twitter to get ahold of him, saying: "We couldn't be more delighted for you as a family. However, I can't get you on message or phone so if you could pick up milk on the way home I'd appreciate it."

He later shared a shot of himself at his door - covered in "well done daddy" posters - clutching two bottles and saying he was  "telt".

Gray told The National he'd had to ensure he made the grocery stop - because a later-than-expected declaration meant Karlie had had to miss out on an appointment with her hairdresser.

He said: "Because we had expected the result to be in at 1pm or 2pm, she had an appointment for 4.30pm. She had to cancel it so there was no way I was forgetting the milk."

Calling the win the honour of his life, Gray went on: "I am over the moon.

"It's a huge honour to be elected by the people of Airdrie and Shotts with over 50% of the vote and it's a huge honour to follow Alex Neil, who has delviered so much for Scotland.

"I'm delighted that we look set to win this election - a historic fourth term in government."

Gray previously told how he'd made the Holyrood bid in order to spend more time with his young children, including big sister Isla, wee brother Finlay and toddler twins Emmie and Freya.

Today he said: "It was a risk, nothing is guaranteed in politics and nobody can take the electorate for granted. I certainly didn't and we put in an incredible effort to get this result.

"I owed it to my family to try to be closer to home. I'm so pleased that I've managed to be around more and to be able to do more in my constituency. I'm so grateful."

The Airdrie and Shotts Westminster byelection will be held on May 13.