With turnout at 32 per cent, the lowest since 2000, Labour have so far gained 769 seats, whilst the Conservatives have lost 396 and their coalition partners the Lib Dems losing 283 in this year’s Local Government Elections.

Early indications from London are that Boris Johnson will remain the capital’s mayor, however the Tories face significant losses in the London Assembly. Results are due after 18:00.

Whilst in Scotland, Labour and the SNP have seen gains.

Five cities – Liverpool, Bradford, Nottingham, Manchester and Coventry –  have rejected calls for an elected mayor, with Bristol voting “yes”. The results of mayoral polls in Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sheffield are awaited. In Doncaster, residents have voted to keep their mayoral system.