Local elections 2023: Labour replace Conservatives as Bolton Councils's biggest party

Labour have replaced the Conservatives as the largest party on Bolton Council after a night which saw them gain five seats.

It was not enough to secure an overall majority of the local authority - which remains under no overall control - but the party leader says he's celebrating a "tremendously positive night for us".

"Some of the results we've seen tonight have been absolutely amazing - where it's been a Labour versus Tory battleground, we've really beaten them back to where they were in the 90s."

No party has had overall control in Bolton since Labour lost its majority five years ago - the Conservatives were the largest party heading in to these local elections, running the council with a minority administration.

But Conservative losses overnight saw Labour gain an additional five seats, leaving the party with 26 councillors to the Tory's 17.

Nick Peel, the Labour leader on Bolton council, admitted the independent candidates had "held up more" - gaining an additional three seats.

• Conservative: 17

• Labour: 26

• Liberal Democrats: 6

• Farnworth and Kearsley First: 2

• Horwich and Blackrod First Independents: 6

• One Kearsley: 3

The leader of Bolton Conservatives, Martyn Cox, said the results were "disappointing."

"We were hoping at least to retain the same number of seats which was 26," he said.

"We've lost fantastic councillors who work tremendously hard, but you know, that's politics.

"The pendulum of politics swings and it swung against us tonight unfortunately"

ITV Granada Reports will bring coverage of the local elections results throughout the day as they come in.

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