The dramatic victory in Runcorn and Helsby came after a recount - the Labour and Reform candidates were initially separated by just four votes.

Nigel Farage’s hopes of Reform contending as a potential party of government at the next election have received a massive boost as his candidate won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes.

Britain's right-wing Reform UK party made early gains in local election results on Friday and was ahead by just four votes in a battle for a seat in parliament in the first major electoral test since last year's general election.