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The Lib Dems have hailed what they claim is their "best ever" local elections night after making huge gains across the country.

Early counting showed the anti-Brexit party up by more than 250 seats - nearly doubling its previous total - as it recovered from a crushing performance four years ago.

With more than half of councils still to declare, Lib Dem MP Sir Ed Davey claimed the result was "equivalent to our best strides forward ever in our history".

He added: "People have been frustrated with the appalling Tory Government, who have let them down not just on Brexit but with cuts to police and schools, and a split opposition with such poor leadership.

"They have been crying out for a strong alternative. The Liberal Democrats have proven we are that strong alternative to the Tories and Labour ."

It came as the Tories lost hundreds of seats while Labour - which has stopped short of calling outright for a second Brexit referendum - also lost seats overnight in a row over leaving the EU.

Lib Dems were always tipped to do well in today's elections, and they were always going to be a struggle for Labour and the Tories.

That is because the Tories were defending more than half the seats up for grabs, which meant they had the most to lose.

The seats they did stand to lose were in historically strong Lib Dem areas, which mean the yellow party - not the reds - had always been tipped to come out on top.

But Lib Dem MPs still hailed the scale of their overnight wins, comparing them to the aftermath of the Iraq War in 2003.

(Image: PA)

Just as they were tipped to, the Lib Dems seized control of Bath and North East Somerset Council - Brexiteer Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg's back yard.

They also gained Winchester, North Norfolk and Cotswold - areas that historically had a good Lib Dem presence.

Sir Ed told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is just a fabulous night. We are clearly back in the game."

With predictions the Lib Dems could gain as many as 500 seats, MP Layla Moran claimed they were the best local election results for the party since 2003 - in the aftermath of the Iraq War.