MPs have narrowly backed Robin Cook's modernisation of the House of Commons.

After a midnight vote following a traditional marathon nine hour debate, the Commons adopted its biggest shake-up in a generation.

The move towards "normal" office hours generated deep divisions among MPs.

A Conservative bid to introduce 9.30am sittings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays were massively rejected - by 347 votes.

But morning sessions on Tuesdays nearly fell, scraping through with a paper-thin majority of seven votes.

An attempt to ditch early hour sittings on Wednesday led by Gerald Kaufman and Chris Mullin was narrowly defeated by 288 votes to 265 - a majority of 23.

Cook - who chaired the Commons modernisation committee which drafted the changes - welcomed backing for a "modern and effective parliament".

But the Commons leader acknowledged traditionalist strength of feeling against the reforms.

"I am very pleased that tonight MPs voted for a more effective parliament. We have carried the recommendations from the modernisation committee," he said.

"Now that the House has voted for change, I will want to work to convince those MPs who still have doubts and build a consensus behind a modern, effective parliament working more normal hours."