Labour will have the most seats on Stoke-on-Trent City Council - but no party will have overall control.
All the results are now in and the final result is: 16 seats for Labour, 15 for the Conservatives, 12 for the City Independents and one non-alligned independent.
The Tories only had seven seats before yesterday's local election.
Important gains for the Conservatives included Dr Chandra Kanneganti's win in Goldenhill and Sandyford, a seat previously held by Labour.
It follows Labour's monumental fall from grace the last time Stoke-on-Trent's voters went to the polls.
See our live blog below for all of the updates from the count as they happened:
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Key Events
Tories the big winners
The Conservatives were the big winners following a night of high drama in Stoke-on-Trent politics.
While no party gained overall control of the city council after Thursday’s local elections, the Tories more than doubled their number of councillors from seven to 15, with everyone else losing seats.
Read more here.
The final results:
Labour will have the most seats on Stoke-on-Trent City Council - but no party will have overall control.
All the results are now in and the final result is: 16 seats for Labour, 15 for the Conservatives, 12 for the City Independents and one non-alligned independent.
The Tories only had seven seats before yesterday’s local election.
Important gains for the Conservatives included Dr Chandra Kanneganti’s win in Goldenhill and Sandyford, a seat previously held by Labour.
Tories sweep the board in Baddeley, Milton and Norton
It is a Conservative clean sweep in Baddeley, Milton and Norton. It means Dave Evans, Carl Edwards and James Smith are all victorious.
The Tories win Blurton West and Newstead - by just seven votes
Conservative Maxine Clark has won Blurton West and Newstead by just seven votes. It is a Conservative gain from Labour.
The Conservatives take Broadway and Longton East from Labour - by just 10 votes
There are just 10 votes in it as the Tories enjoy a dramatic victory in Broadway and Longton East. It is victory for Asman Ali as he defeats sitting councillor Chris Robinson.
It's a Conservative gain in Meir South
The Conservatives have gained Meir South from Labour. Faisal Hussain has taken the seat after defeating Labour’s Debbie Wheeldon.
Almost nine hours after counting started at Fenton Manor Sports Complex and we're still going strong
The voters who defaced their ballot papers with words like 'traitor' and 'democracy is dead'
Voters have taken to social media to boast about spoiling their ballot papers in protest at Brexit and the mainstream political parties.
Thousands of people took to polling booths purely to spoil their papers, with many claiming they were fed up with the lack of progress over Brexit and the performance of current parties.
Despite this not everyone has been impressed with the mass spoiling stunt.
While it isn’t illegal to spoil your ballot paper, deliberately filling in the ballot incorrectly or defacing it with graffiti will render it invalid.
City Independents retain Springfields and Trent Vale
Deputy Lord Major Jackie Barnes still has a chance of taking the city’s top honour after holding onto Springfields and Trent Vale for the City Independents.
Labour hold onto Hanley Park and Shelton
Mosque leader Amjid Wasir is back for another term in office after holding onto Hanley Park and Shelton for Labour.
Here's our 6.30am update: No party to have overall control of Stoke-on-Trent City Council
There are still two seats to declare.
But here is the latest from our political reporter Phil Corrigan.
It's all kicking off here - Recount in Blurton West and Newstead
There’s a recount in Blurton West and Newstead.
Labour keep hold of Sandford Hill
Labour have held onto Sandford Hill as candidate Ally Simcock becomes a city councillor for the first time.
City Independents hold onto Tunstall
City Independent Lee Wanger has held off a Labour challenge to retain Tunstall.
Labour retain Ford Green and Smallthorne
Labour’s Candi Chetwynd will be back in the council chamber after holding onto Ford Green and Smallthorne.
Labour gain Meir North
Labour are back in control of Meir North after Desiree Elliott sweeps to victory. She defeats former Labour stalwart Ruth Rosenau who stood as an independent.
Labour hold onto Hartshill and Basford
Massive victory for Labour’s Shaun Pender in Hartshill and Basford. It is a Labour hold.
Labour retail Bradeley and Chell Heath
It is another term in office for Labour’s Gurmeet Kallar as he wins Bradeley and Chell Heath.
Another massive Conservative win - this time in Weston Coyney
Tory veteran Ross Irving is back in after winning the Weston Coyney seat.
Conservatives retain Meir Hay seat
It is a resounding victory in Meir Hay for Conservative Craig Beardmore.
Conservatives retain Lightwood North and Normacot
The Conservatives have held onto Lightwood North and Normacot as Sadaqat Maqsoom takes the seat. It attracted the city’s highest turnout.
