George W Bush reached out to all Americans today after winning a record number of votes in the US presidential election and four more years in the White House.

After the most divisive campaign of recent times almost ended in another legal battle over uncounted ballots, President Bush told cheering supporters in Washington that he was humbled by the trust shown in him by the American people.

Graciously praising his opponent, Senator John Kerry, Mr Bush said he needed the support even of those who voted against him if America was to blossom in its "season of hope".

"America has spoken and I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens," Mr Bush said. "With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans, and I'll do my best to fulfill my duty every day as your President."

Reaching out to directly to Democrat voters, he added: "To make this nation stronger and better, I need your support and I will do everything I can do to earn it... When we all come together there is no limit to the greatness of America.

"Because we've done the hard work, we're entering a season of hope."

Mr Bush's victory speech came just an hour after Mr Kerry's concession speech in Boston to party workers who had gone from jubilation to despair over the past 18 hours - while Kerry campaign chiefs were forced to relinquish hopes of victory in the final big battleground state, Ohio.

"Earlier today I spoke to President Bush and I offered him, and Laura, our congratulations on their victory," Mr Kerry said.

"We talked about the danger of division in our country and the need - the desperate need - for unity, for finding common ground and coming together.

He added: "Today, I hope we can begin the healing. In America, it is vital that every vote count, and that every vote be counted, but the outcome should be divided by voters, not a protracted legal process."

Mr Bush's victory followed a long, close and extremely bitter campaign in which the candidates and their supporters spent over $1 billion trying to get their messages out.

Mr Bush appealed to voters not to ditch their commander-in-chief while American troops are in action in Iraq and the "war on terror" continues. Mr Kerry questioned Mr Bush's competence over Iraq and portrayed himself as a more effective steward of the economy.

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