Election Special - Live Commentary

Results for all wards are now online.

The Liberal Democrats gained Balderstone & Kirkholt and North Heywood wards from Labour.

Labour gained East Middleton from Liberal Democrats.

In all other wards, existing Councillors retained their seats.

View all results online:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results

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Live Commentary

Littleborough Lakeside was held by Mayor Peter Evans (LD), Milnrow & Newhey was held by Irene Davidson (LD) and Conservative leader Ashley Dearnley held his seat in Wardle & West Littleborough.

Bamford ward has been held by Jane Gartside (C) and James Gartside (C) has retained his seat in Norden ward.

Jean Ashworth (LD) retained her seat in Smallbridge & Firgrove and Central Rochdale ward was held by Zulf Ali (LD).

Tom Bailey (LD) has held Healey ward, David Clayton (LD) has held Kingsway ward and Mohammed Sharif (LD) has held Milkstone & Deeplish ward.

12.05am Balderstone & Kirkholt has been won by Pat Colclough of the Liberal Democrats, which is a gain for them from Labour.

Pat Flynn (LD) has retained her seat in Castleton and Barbara Todd (LD) has retained her seat in Spotland & Falinge.

North Middleton has been held by Maureen Rowbotham (L), South Middleton has been held by Teresa Fitzsimons (C) and West Middleton has been held by Lil Murphy (L).

11.55pm Littleborough Lakeside is a close count between Mayor Peter Evans (LD) and Andrew Jones (C). Milnrow & Newhey looks like it will be held by Irene Davidson (LD) and Wardle & West Littleborough looks like it will be held by Ashley Dearnley (C).

11.50pm Looks like Liberal Democrats have held Healey, Castleton, Spotland & Falinge, Central, Smallbridge & Firgrove. Conservatives look to have held Norden and Bamford.

11.45pm East Middleton has been won by Malcolm Boriss (L) which is a gain from the Liberal Democrats.

11.44pm Count is very close for Spotland & Falinge ward but Labour look to be just in front of Liberal Democrats at the moment. In Norden ward the Conservatives are in front. Liberal Democrats are well in front in Smallbridge & Firgrove. Looks like Liberal Democrats are beating Labour in Balderstone & Kirkholt.

11.40pm Results have been announced for all three Heywood wards. Labour have held Hopwood Hall and West Heywood but North Heywood has been won by Malcolm Bruce for the Liberal Democrats.

11.35pm Peter Greenwood (BNP) has polled a surprising number of votes in Norden

11.30pm Balderstone & Kirkholt ward is still neck and neck.

11.20pm It looks like the Liberal Democrats have held Milkstone & Deeplish and they are doing ok in Norden but it looks like James Gartside (C) will retain his seat.

11.15pm It looks as though Barbara Todd (LD) will hold Spotland & Falinge ward and Pat Flynn (LD) still looks solid in Castleton. Balderstone & Kirkholt is still an even count.

11.10pm Jean Ashworth (LD) looks to have held Smallbridge & Firgrove and Central ward looks to be going to Labour.

11.05pm A spokesperson for Labour doesn't seem confident about holding North Heywood ward, "Local candidates are being punished by unpopular decisions in central government".

10.55pm At this stage the Liberal Democrats are looking pretty strong in North Heywood, which would be a gain for them from Labour.

10.45pm Castleton ward looks like it will be held by Pat Flynn (LD) and the count for Balderstone & Kirkholt is very close between all three candidates.

10.40pm Healey ward looks like it will be held by Tom Bailey (LD), even at this early stage.

10.35pm Len Branton (C) looks to be doing well in Smallbridge & Firgrove. Central is looking very close as is Milkstone & Deeplish.

10.30pm Counting is now underway for every ward in Heywood and Middleton.

10.20pm Final boxes have arrived for Spotland & Falinge and Healey wards. All Rochdale wards are now being counted.

10.18pm First boxes from Castleton, Norden, Smallbridge & Firgrove and Central wards have arrived at Rochdale Town Hall.

10.16pm Hopwood Hall & West Heywood boxes are being counted.

10.13pm Balderstone & Kirkholt boxes have arrived. Votes cast in Bamford ward are now being counted.

10.10pm Boxes from North Heywood have arrived and are being opened.

10.08pm Boxes have started to arrive at Middleton Civic Centre.

10.06pm The first boxes have arrived from Milkstone and Deeplish ward.