US Senate control in the balance

Jim Webb is celebrating, but could face a recount

As the Democrats celebrate winning control of the House, all eyes are on the states of Virginia and Montana, key to the balance of power in the Senate.

The Democrats need both seats to gain control of the upper chamber.

In Virginia, Democrat Jim Webb has claimed victory with a lead of 0.3 percentage points over incumbent George Allen, but counting there continues.

And in Montana, with 99% of the votes tallied, Democrat John Tester has a lead of about 1,700 over Conrad Burns.

The results from this key state were delayed after election officials in Yellowstone, Montana's largest county, decided to start counting all the votes again because of difficulties with the new equipment.

The Democrats have tried to paint Mr Burns - a senator for 18 years - as a symbol of what they call a Republican "culture of corruption", following revelations that he accepted $150,000 (£78,000) in donations from the convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Recount?

The official result of the Virginia race - one of the most bitterly contested of the mid-term elections - is not expected to be known until later on Wednesday.

IN THE BALANCE MONTANA - 99% COUNTED John Tester (D): 194,914 Conrad Burns (R): 193,179 VIRGINIA - 99% COUNTED Jim Webb (D): 1,170,564 George Allen (R): 1,162,719 Results map: Montana Results map: Virginia

But Jim Webb - a former Naval Secretary under Ronald Reagan who later became a Democrat - has already declared himself the winner.

"The votes are in and we won," he said.

With 99% of the votes counted he has 49.6% against the incumbent's 49.3%.

Mr Allen had been expected to win the state - in which he was once governor - easily.

But his campaign suffered after he was caught on video calling a man of Indian descent a "macaca" - a macaca is a genus of monkey.

There is speculation that Mr Allen - once considered a 2008 presidential hopeful - could seek a recount, which he is entitled to do under Virginia law.

If he does, control of the US Senate may remain unclear for a few more days.