Early election results come in

Early results from England's local elections show heavy losses for the Conservatives, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats making gains.

The Conservatives lost majorities in Tamworth, Brentwood, Hertsmere and North West Leicestershire, while Labour won Plymouth, Medway and Stoke-on-Trent. Windsor and Maidenhead were won by the Lib Dems.

Labour's Chris Cooke has become mayor of Middlebrough, beating the Independent incumbent by just 760 votes.

Most results are not expected until later on Friday. 8000 seats on 230 councils were up for election, as well as four mayoral posts.

Commenting on the early results, prime minister Rishi Sunak said that his party were making progress in key election battlegrounds including Peterborough, Sandwell and Bassetlaw. He said: "I'm not detecting any massive groundswell of movement towards the Labour Party or excitement for their agenda."

On the other hand, Labour's national campaign coordinator, Shabana Mahmood MP, said: "Tonight has been a disaster for Rishi Sunak as voters punish him for the Tories' failure."

Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey told the BBC he had a "Cheshire-cat" grin.

Image: Microchip08, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons