Reform take from the Conservatives in first council gain of local elections

• Reform UK secured its first council of the year, taking Newcastle-under-Lyme from the Conservatives.
• Nigel Farage suggested Reform UK is on course for a general election victory after early local election results.
• Reform UK gained over 210 seats as results came in from 37 of 136 councils.
• Labour lost more than 160 seats, including in its traditional northern heartlands.
• Farage hailed the gains as a 'historic change in British politics', noting strong performance in traditional Labour areas.

IN FULL

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