Liverpool remains with Lib Dems

Liverpool City Council remains in Liberal Democrat control, after a fourth overnight recount in one ward.

Police had to step in at the count held in the city's tennis centre when tempers rose among candidates and their agents and a scuffle broke out.

Trouble sparked on Thursday night during a second recount of papers for the Croxteth ward.

Labour gained four seats from the Liberal Democrats, it was announced on Friday, after the final recount.

In Croxteth, Phillip Moffatt for the Liberal Democrats beat Labour candidate Jim Noakes to the seat by just 10 votes.