Tony Blair has admitted that Iraq damaged Labour in Thursday's polls, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have hailed their performances.

The latest data shows Labour losing hundreds of council seats and falling into third place in terms of share of the vote.

Conservative chairman Dr Liam Fox said the results were "spectacular" for his party.

And the Lib Dems described themselves as delighted.

Labour reaction

But with renewed focus on his leadership of the Labour Party, the prime minister was left on the back foot by the results.

Blair admitted the war had cast "a shadow" over his party's campaign.

"I think it's a question of holding our nerve and seeing it through - and realising that yes