Clinton wins New Mexico caucus

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Senator Hillary Clinton has been declared the winner of New Mexico's contest to find a Democratic presidential candidate.

The New Mexico caucus was one of 24 contests held across the US on 5 February, known as Super Tuesday.

Mrs Clinton won the state by a narrow margin, gaining 73,105 votes while her party rival Barack Obama gained 71,396.

The result gives Mrs Clinton, who is trailing Mr Obama in the campaign, one extra delegate.

Mr Obama, with 1,275 delegates secured, is now ahead of Mrs Clinton by 54 delegates in total. They both need 2,025 delegates to secure their nomination.

In a statement, Mrs Clinton said she was "so proud to have earned the support of New Mexicans from across the state".

NEXT CONTESTS 19 Feb: Wisconsin (bi-party), Hawaii caucuses (R)2 March: Hawaii caucus (D)4 March: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont (bi-party)

Mrs Clinton has lost eight consecutive primaries and two key members of campaign staff since Super Tuesday.

The BBC's James Coomerasamy said that Mrs Clinton has no choice but to focus on the delegate-rich states of Texas and Ohio, which hold primaries on 4 March.

Mrs Clinton's campaign moved to Ohio on Thursday where she told an audience at a General Motors plant that unlike Mr Obama, she was a fighter.

"That's the difference between me and my opponent. My opponent makes speeches. I offer solutions. It is one thing to get people excited. I want to empower you".

Mr Obama's Ohio campaign director appeared to accept the result and said the Illinois senator had gained momentum from his run of victories.

"We are going to look forward at the contests we have remaining," said Carlos Monje Jr.