Not all the results are in yet, but from data so far, Labour are expected to take 39% of the vote share, with the Conservatives at 31% and the Lib Dems holding firm at 16%.

However, Nick Clegg’s party lost at least 125 seats, giving them the lowest local share they’ve ever had.

Across the country: Labour’s Joe Anderson was elected Mayor in Liverpool; Labour made substantial gains in Wales, including wins in the Cardiff council; UKIP’s vote share rose to 14% where they had people standard, their best ever result; and George Galloway’s Respect party unseated the Labour leader in the Bradford council.

Voting turnout was however down to just a rather measly 32%, the lowest figure in a local election since the year 2000.

Labour leader Ed Miliband reacted to the results saying, “Labour can change Britain for the better".

"We are a party winning back people's trust, regaining ground, but there is more work to do," he added.

Nick Clegg said that he was “sad” that so many Lib Dem seats had been lost, but that, "I am determined that we will continue to play our role in rescuing, repairing and reforming the British economy.

"It's not an easy job and it can't be done overnight but our duty is to boost jobs and investment and to restore a sense of hope and optimism to our country."

In the mayoral elections, Boris Johnson is expected to keep his role in London, though the result will not be revealed until later this evening. Voters in Manchester, Nottingham, Bradford and Coventry have rejected a mayoral system in their referendums.