Local Election 2015 - Live Commentary - Labour increase majority

Labour win 15 seats, Conservatives win four seats and Liberal Democrats win one seat.

See the full results on our local election special page:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-results/23

2.55pm Everything has stopped in the Great Hall as the two minute silence for VE Day is going to be observed at 3pm. Many people have gone outside to the cenotaph.

2.50pm Central ward winner for Labour, Ali Ahmed said: "It is a huge relief to have won. The hard work starts now. This is a win for the team in Central Ward. They have worked incredibly hard."

2.45pm Labour win Healey ward and retain Castleton and Spotland & Falinge.

2.35pm Labour have held Balderstone & Kirkholt, Smallbridge & Firgrove, Milkstone & Deeplish and won back Central ward.

2.20pm Labour look to be leading in West Heywood and East Heywood.

2.15pm The first results are expected to be announced soon. A number of wards look to have finished counting.

Susan Emmott, Labour candidate in Hopwood Hall ward said: "I am feeling confident. I hope we get a good result across all wards."

2.10pm Peter Winkler, Conservative candidate for Norden: "Looking at things I think we have done it this year. The response we have had has been really good."

2.05pm Labour look to be leading at the moment across all the Middleton wards.

2.00pm It's near silence in the room where the Middleton wards are being counted. The atmophere is quite tense.

1.55pm UKIP candidate Warren Mitchell who is standing in West Heywood ward said: Whatever the outcome today, UKIP will continue to fight as we will always be here. Although I'm feeling unsure at the moment, as it was very close last time, I am quietly confident. Win or lose hour vote share will have increased which is a positive step for UKIP."

1.40pm Mark Hollinrake, Green Party candidate for Kingsway: "I think having the local election on the same day as the General Election doesn't help. It's hard to judge at the stage.

1.35pm Teresa Fitzsimons, Conservative candidate in East Middleton said: "I'm feeling elated with the results from central Government but there's still a lot of work to do. It's important that a party can have a majority nationally but more important locally too."

1.30pm Ruth Yasmeen, Labour candidate in Norden ward said: "It has gone OK. We have worked hard and done what we can. Norden has been ruled by the Conservatives for the past 300 years so it may be difficult."

1.25pm Farooq Ahmed, Rochdale First candidate in Central ward said: "Holding the seat looks difficult but people have wanted to vote for me and that means something. The main issue has been that people are still associating me with Labour which has been a hurdle to overcome. For a new party we have done alright."

1.20pm Abi Jackson, Green Party candidate in South Middleton said: "I am looking forward to the results but I am very tired as I've worked very hard these last few weeks."

1.15pm All wards are now being counted.

1.10pm All wards in Rochdale are now being counted in the Great Hall. Downstairs in the committee rooms, most wards in Heywood & Middleton are under way.

1.05pm Aftab Hussain, the Labour candidate in Smallbridge & Firgrove standing for re-election said: "I should have a good chance of winning, I am confident but it will be close with UKIP. Hopefully Labour will gain at least two seats overall."

1.00pm Counters in Smallbridge & Firgrove have started sorting ballot papers.

Council staff and counters are ready to get to work at Rochdale Town Hall.

Before today's election, Rochdale Borough Council was under Labour control. The make-up of the council was as follows:

Labour – 46
Conservative - 11
Rochdale First - 2
Liberal Democrat - 1

A total of 20 seats on the council are available at this election.

The seats up for election:

Labour - 14
Conservative - 5
Liberal Democrat - 0