The polls have closed and counting is under way in the local elections in England and Wales.

More than 4,000 seats on 159 councils are up for grabs, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.

It is the first major test of voters' opinion since Gordon Brown became prime minister last year.

Most English councils will announce results overnight, with the first expected at 2330 BST. Results in Wales and London are due later on Friday.

Tory targets

Several million people have voted, 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.

The Conservatives will be looking to make 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.

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 Lib Dems are defending 750 seats, with the poll being the first major test of leader Nick Clegg, who was elected in December.

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, will be the most keenly awaited by the political leaders.

The fates of Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Lib Dem 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.

(BBC)

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