France's ruling Socialists suffered a crushing defeat in regional elections last night - as three years of left-wing rule was branded a 'massive failure'.

Exit polls showed Nicolas Sarkozy's opposition UMP party controlling up to 70 departments, compared to 37 for the Socialists.

This meant a loss of 30 of the regional councils for Francois Hollande's party, which came to power nationally in 2012.

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France's ruling Socialists under Francois Hollande (pictured) suffered a crushing defeat in regional elections last night - as three years of left-wing rule was branded a 'massive failure'

Even the Correze department - Mr Hollande's home turf in the south west - was won by the UMP.

Former president Mr Sarkozy said: 'Tonight, the Republican right, and the centre, has won the departmental elections.'

Referring to the UMP's electoral alliance with the centrist Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI), Mr Sarkozy said: 'Never in the history of the Fifth Republic has our political family won so many departments.'

Mr Sarkozy said 'three years' under the most outdated Socialist party in Europe had brought the country to its knees, and the electorate had had enough.

Exit polls showed the opposition UMP party under Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured) controlling up to 70 departments, compared to 37 for the Socialists

'A new era is starting. Hope is reborn for France,' said Mr Sarkozy. 'The road will be long and hard, but change is coming and nothing can stop it.'

Also highlighting the 'failure' of the Socialists, was the far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen.

Although the FN was expected to win up to one department maximum, they were on course to win more than 200 seats on regional councils.

Calling on Manuel Valls, the Socialist Prime Minister, 'to resign', Ms Le Pen said her anti-immigration and anti-Europe party had a huge part to play in the future of France.

Manuel Valls, the Socialist Prime Minister, conceded 'incontestable' electoral defeat soon after the polls closed at 8pm.

Far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen (pictured) also highlighted the 'failure' of the Socialists

Noting increased extremism in his country, Mr Valls said: 'Far-right gains in local elections are a sign of lasting change in the French political system'.

The election will choose 4,108 local councillors and - crucially - shape the political landscape in the run-up to the 2017 presidential race.

The vote was also a key test for Mr Sarkozy who, despite a series of corruption scandals, is convinced he can return to power in two years' time.

According to the exit polls, the UMP and its centrist allies could end up with nearly twice as many seats as President Hollande's Socialists..