All change at Trafford Town Hall as Tories lose overall control

The Conservatives have lost control of Trafford Council - the party's only council in Greater Manchester and its flagship northern council.

It was one of the most closely watched local election results in the nation - considered to be a good way to gauge the political direction of the nation.

Both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn visited Trafford during the campaign - the Prime Minister began the final week of campaigning here on Monday, while the Labour leader chose to launch his party’s national campaign here in March.

The loss is the biggest upset of the region’s local election night.

• Election 2018: results for the North West

Sean Anstee has led the council since 2014, and said the Tories needed to "reflect and learn":

It was a defeat Labour claimed as a “huge coup”.