LIVE: Latest updates from across Yorkshire and beyond as local election results roll in

Labour's Chris Webb is the new MP for Blackpool South after a resounding by-election victory  - and immediately pledged to put the town first.

He secured the seat with a majority of 7,607 votes ahead of second placed Conservative candidate David Jones. Mr Jones's tally of 3,218 votes put him just ahead of Reform UK candidate Mark Butcher with 3,101.

Follow the Lancashire elections live blog here.

The result means the seat returns to Labour after previous MP Scott Benton won it for the Tories at the 2019 General Election before resigning the seat earlier this year.

Mr Webb, who campaigned as a local born candidate said the result showed the people of Blackpool had "had enough" of the Conservative government which "has crashed the economy, destroyed our public services and put up taxes."

He added: "They have said it is time for change and that change started here in Blackpool tonight. Only Labour offers new hope for towns like Blackpool."

Full report from Blackpool South here.

Tory party chairman Richard Holden has said that results so far have spelled out a “disappointing night” for his party.

He told BBC Breakfast: “Overall a disappointing night for us but that’s what you’d expect from parties in midterm of government.” However, he defended his party’s performance at a national level and the possible impact poor local election results could have on Rishi Sunak’s eventual general election campaign, saying: “When people are voting in individual by-elections they know they’re not voting for the government of the country.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that he was “concerned wherever we lose votes” after reports that some voters had turned their back on the party as a result of its stance on Gaza.

It comes as Labour lost control of Oldham Council as voters turned to independent candidates who explicitly campaigned in opposition to the conflict in Gaza.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I’m concerned wherever we lose votes and we intend to win any votes we have lost back.

“But there’s no denying that across the country, whether it’s Hartlepool in the North or Rushmoor in the South or Redditch, a bellwether seat, we are winning votes across the country.

He added: “And that, I think, reflects a changed Labour Party with a positive case to take to the country. So I’m very please with the results, Blackpool is an incredible result but we are picking up seats where we need them in other parts of the country as well.”

Good afternoon, it’s Ralph Blackburn, NationalWorld’s politics editor, back with you after a few hours sleep and some strong coffee. So an update on this morning gives a mixed picture for Labour.

The party has snatched Redditch off the Conservatives, which is a significant general election bellwether. It’s also taken control of Norwich City Council, which is a big boost for Keir Starmer as this was an area which was hit by resignations over the Gaza war.

However, in other parts of the country, the Middle Eastern conflict has had an affect. Labour’s lost control of Oldham Council and failed to win a majority in Bolton - with both left in no overall control.

And it appears the Conservatives are ahead in two key mayoral races, which are due to declare today. My colleague from the Yorkshire Post, Leigh Jones, says he’s been told Tory Ben Houchen is confident of winning the Tees Valley - we should get a result in that soon. Labour is also briefing out that it’s unlikely to defeat Andy Street in the West Midlands, blaming voters switching to the independent candidate over Gaza.

The Tories also held onto Harlow, which was a big target seat for Labour, while the Liberal Democrats kept control of their councils in the South, including Winchester. You can see all the latest updates on our results map.

It looks as if Ben Houchen will retain the mayoralty in the Tees Valley, and this is big for the Conservatives and Rishi Sunak. The Prime Minister has been hoping that his incumbents will win in Teesside and the West Midlands to put off the plotters in his own party itching to replace in No10.

It was always going to be a tall order for Keir Starmer to win Tees Valley, with Houchen having a 73% vote share at the elections in 2021, however this is traditional Labour country. My colleague Leigh Jones, from the Yorkshire Post, who is at the count says the results which have come in so far give Houchen an insurmountable lead over Labour.

It’s just been confirmed, Ben Houchen has been re-elected as Mayor of Tees Valley - albeit with a reduced majority over Labour. We’ll bring you Houchen’s comments from Leigh at the count as soon as possible.

Labour has retained Swindon in the first council result of the afternoon, gaining nine seats as the Conservatives lost eight and an independent one. The new council is Labour Labour 41, Conservative 15, Liberal Democrat one.

Labour have retained control of Blackburn with Darwen, but lost four seats, while the Conservatives lost two and independents were up four. The new council is Labour 29, independents 13 and Conservatives nine.

Both West Oxfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield in Hertfordshire stay as no overall control.

The BBC is also calling Wakefield as a hold for Labour, we’ll try and get some reaction from our reporters in Yorkshire.