The Conservatives look to be the big winners in yesterday's local elections, with Labour seemingly on course for one of its worst performances in recent memory.

The Liberal Democrats also picked up votes at the expense of the governing party.

With results still coming in, the Conservatives have already secured some of their most prized targets such as Trafford, Harrogate and Tamworth.

A BBC survey found Labour's share of the vote was five per cent down over the last year.

Health secretary John Reid said the party was bracing itself for "bad results".

Labour is also expected to suffer in the European elections, the results of which won't be known until Sunday.

However, party leaders will be heartened by exit polls predicting that London mayor Ken Livingstone, who recently returned to the Labour fold, is set to win a second term in the Capital.

Elsewhere, UKIP gained its first council seat in Hull.