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Counting under way in local polls Counting under way in local polls
(10 minutes later)
The polls have closed and counting is under way in the local elections in England and Wales.The polls have closed and counting is under way in the local elections in England and Wales.
More than 4,000 council seats are up for grabs, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.More than 4,000 council seats are up for grabs, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.
A BBC poll suggests Tory David Cameron is seen as more effective than PM Gordon Brown or Lib Dem Nick Clegg. Most English councils will announce results overnight. Results in Wales and London are due later on Friday.
Most English councils will announce results overnight, with the first expected at 2330 BST. Results in Wales and London are due later on Friday. Meanwhile,a BBC opinion poll suggests David Cameron is seen as more effective leader than Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown or Lib Dem Nick Clegg.
Tory targetsTory targets
Several million people have voted, with 5.5 million eligible to do so in London alone. Several million people have voted in the local elections during the course of Thursday, with 5.5 million eligible to do so in London alone.
Most of the English local authorities are electing a third of members to serve for another four years.Most of the English local authorities are electing a third of members to serve for another four years.
Labour insiders fear the party could shed up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and sniping at Mr Brown's leadership.Labour insiders fear the party could shed up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and sniping at Mr Brown's leadership.
Among the key battlegrounds, Labour will be hoping to retain control of Reading and retake Sheffield from no overall control in a straight fight with the Liberal Democrats.Among the key battlegrounds, Labour will be hoping to retain control of Reading and retake Sheffield from no overall control in a straight fight with the Liberal Democrats.
The Conservatives will be looking to make several gains, such as taking control of Basingstoke, Worcester, Solihull, Thurrock, Maidstone and Rossendale.The Conservatives will be looking to make several gains, such as taking control of Basingstoke, Worcester, Solihull, Thurrock, Maidstone and Rossendale.
Other authorities the party is hopeful of winning include Barrow-in-Furness, Bury and Vale of Glamorgan.Other authorities the party is hopeful of winning include Barrow-in-Furness, Bury and Vale of Glamorgan.
Pressure on BrownPressure on Brown
The Lib Dems are defending 750 seats, with the poll being the first major test of leader Mr Clegg, who was elected in December.The Lib Dems are defending 750 seats, with the poll being the first major test of leader Mr Clegg, who was elected in December.
A poor poll showing for Labour could make life difficult for Mr Brown, with backbenchers increasingly concerned about their own prospects at the next general election.A poor poll showing for Labour could make life difficult for Mr Brown, with backbenchers increasingly concerned about their own prospects at the next general election.
HAVE YOUR SAY I voted this evening. If you can't get to vote in person you can request a postal vote, there's really no excuse Jon, BasingstokeSend us your comments
All seats are up for election in the 22 Welsh unitary authorities, where voters will have to wait until at least Friday lunchtime for their results.All seats are up for election in the 22 Welsh unitary authorities, where voters will have to wait until at least Friday lunchtime for their results.
The London result, due on Friday evening, looks extremely close, following a gruelling contest between Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.The London result, due on Friday evening, looks extremely close, following a gruelling contest between Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.
Their fate, along with that of Lib Dem contender Brian Paddick, will be widely seen as a test of their parties' national popularity ahead of the next general election, which has to be held by 2010.Their fate, along with that of Lib Dem contender Brian Paddick, will be widely seen as a test of their parties' national popularity ahead of the next general election, which has to be held by 2010.
Meanwhile, a BBC survey suggests David Cameron is seen as the most effective of the main party leaders. Meanwhile, a BBC survey suggests Conservative David Cameron is seen as the most effective of the main party leaders.
Of 1,005 people who took part, 68% said he was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.Of 1,005 people who took part, 68% said he was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.