Local election results

The UK Independence Party is tonight claiming there's been a "sea change" in British politics after making big gains in the local elections in the East Midlands.

Nigel Farage's UKIP had its best result in Lincolnshire where it is now the second largest party.

UKIP's success was largely at the expense of the Conservatives - especially in the town of Boston, where a mother and two daughters gained three seats.

Our correspondent Peter Bearne reports.

The Conservatives are promising to work hard to win back support after a day of mixed fortunes in the local elections.

They managed to retain power in Staffordshire and Worcestershire but lost control of Warwickshire and Gloucestershire councils.

Across the region voters abandoned the Tories for UKIP. Alison Mackenzie reports.

Commenting on the results of the County Council elections, George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

The Labour Party has gained 18 seats in Nottinghamshire, taking overall control of the County Council.

The Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats both lost seats.

UKIP lost its only councillor.

• Labour Party – 34 seats
• Conservatives – 21 seats
• Liberal Democrats – 8 seats
• Mansfield Independent Forum – 2 seats
• Other – 1 seat
• Independent – 1 seat

Labour wins back overall control of Nottinghamshire County Council from the Conservatives. They have a majority of one.

Despite losing 12 seats overall, the Conservatives have retained control of Worcestershire County Council. Labour gained nine seats. The Liberal Democrats lost five.

• Labour – 12 seats
• Conservatives – 30 seats
• Liberal Democrat – 3 seats
• Other

David Cameron said UKIP's surge in the local elections was a "major lesson" for the main political parties.

When asked whether he regretted labelling UKIP members "fruitcakes", the Prime Minister said it was "no good insulting any political party."

Following UKIP's strong showing in the local elections, Conservative leader David Cameron said: "We need to show respect for people who have taken the choice to support this party and we are going to work really hard to win them back."

West Bridgford Central and South have been taken from the Conservatives by Labour.

Nottinghamshire local election results are still being counted.

• Conservatives – 30 seats
• Labour – 10 seats
• Liberal Democrats – 13 seats
• UKIP – 2 seats