Labour haemorrhages seats as first local election results see Reform make big gains

• Initial results from local elections across England indicate significant gains for the Reform party and losses for Labour in several councils.
• In Halton, Labour lost 15 seats to Reform but maintained its majority, while Reform won all 12 seats in Hartlepool, leading to no overall control for the previously Labour-run council.
• Redditch and Tamworth councils shifted from Labour control to no overall control, and the Liberal Democrats secured control of Stockport.
• Wigan council, despite Labour losing 20 seats to Reform's 23 gains, remains under Labour control.
• Across the first 11 councils to declare, Labour lost 71 seats and Reform gained 90, with Labour winning only 17% of its defended seats compared to Reform's 56% of contested seats after 10 declarations.

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Local election results live: Labour lose control of councils as Reform make big gains