The loudest cheers of the night at Aintree Racecourse came as Labour made gains, claiming seats from independent councillors.
Sefton Council's election counts were a sea of red as candidates, councillors and party members gathered to mark a dominant Labour performance. The party increased its control of the local authority, gaining five seats to take its total to 51 (of Sefton's 66 seats) by the time the last results were called at around 2.30am on Friday (May 5).
The election count took place overnight on Thursday (May 4) and into Friday. Counts were split across Southport's Dunes Leisure Centre and two suites at the racecourse, where the borough's south and central seats were declared.
