The Runcorn and Helsby by-election is on a knife edge, with just four votes separating Reform UK and Labour, the BBC has been told. A full recount is taking place, after party officials said the first tally put Nigel Farage's party ahead by a tiny margin.

There is little disguising what is surely going to be the prevailing story as council election results pour in from lunchtime onwards: Reform UK has had a very good night, Labour a poor one and

Full recount called in Runcorn and Helsby by-election as Labour and Reform separated by just four votesSource: The Independent