🟥LIVE from the Oldham Elections with updates and reactions

Oldham’s local election count is underway tonight, with voters across the borough deciding who will take control of key council seats.

Labour will be looking to maintain its position in the borough, while opposition parties hope to make gains in several closely fought wards. Alongside the political drama, attention will also be on turnout levels, potential upsets and what the results could signal for Oldham’s wider political landscape.

Our live blog will bring you updates direct from the count, including every declaration, reaction from candidates and the latest developments as the results come in.

Most of the candidates and agents have arrived now in Oldham. The counting room is quite a tight and packed affair, all the parties vying to get a view of the action. 

20 seats are up for grabs tonight. Labour holds a minority control of the council here in Oldham, tonight they defend 11 seats, with a mixture of other parties and independents defending the other nine. 

In position at the Loom in Oldham Town Centre tonight, 20 seats are up for election. Polls have just closed, ballot boxes will arrive shortly for verification and then counting will begin. The Council haven't confirmed when the results are expected to be declared, but would expect it will be into the early hours of the morning. 

Good evening. With just two hours to go until polls close in Oldham’s local elections, attention is beginning to turn towards tonight’s count where parties across the borough will learn whether their campaigns have paid off.

Ballot boxes will be transported to the count venue later this evening, with candidates, councillors and activists set for a long night as results are declared ward by ward.

We’ll be live throughout the evening and into the night with updates from inside the count, including every result, reaction and the latest developments as they happen.