Labour take control of Thurrock Council
The Tories lost ten seats, with Labour gaining eight
Last updated 3rd May 2024
Labour have taken control of Thurrock Council.
Local election results are being counted across the country, with Labour taking Thurrock.
They gained eight seats, with the Conservatives losing ten. The Independent candidates gained two.
The win for Labour in the previous unitary council will see the area a key Conservative-Labour battleground in the general election.
Thurrock was one of Labour's top targets, the party needed to gain six seats to take control of the council, which has been run by the Tories for the past few years during a period of turbulence that saw the council declared effectively bankrupt in December 2022.
Elsewhere across the country Labour have seen further gains, including in Hartlepool and South Blackpool.
Results for more councils across Essex will be announced throughout the day, with an announcement also expected for Essex's Police Fire and Crime Commissioner.