Rishi Sunak calls local election losses disappointing as Labour make gains

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called the overnight local elections results “disappointing” despite his party retaining the Tees Valley mayoralty.

The Conservatives have lost over 400 council seats, while Labour won the Blackpool South by-election.

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said voters showed Mr Sunak they wanted a change in the last big test of public opinion before a general election.

Nearly 90% of the 107 councils up for election have declared so far.