Cameron comments on local election results

Speaking at party headquarters, David Cameron has welcomed local election results so far.

He said: "The Conservative vote share has held up and I think that is because Conservative councils and councillors have done a good job up and down the country providing quality services and keeping their costs and their tax bills under control.'

And he added, "I also think we fought a strong campaign explaining why we need to take difficult decisions to sort out the mess we inherited from Labour."

In council seats Labour need to be winning in, they failed to pick up support and are even slipping back:

• Dartford:  CON Gain 5,  Lab lose 3
• North Lincolnshire: CON Gain
• Kirklees: CON Gain 2
• Trafford: CON Hold against all expectations
• Barnsley: CON Hold all seats
• Doncaster: CON Hold all seats
• Erewash: CON Hold (this was a safe Labour council from 1991-2003).