Labour's local election candidates have complained they could lose council seats today because Jeremy Corbyn is "radioactive" on the doorstep.

The Labour leader is facing major loses across the country as voters head to the polls to vote in the local and mayoral elections.

Electoral forecasts estimate that Labour could lose as many as 125 council seats, which would be devastating for the opposition party.

The election will be a major test of Mr Corbyn's popularity, given his prominence in the general election campaign.

One Labour candidate told The Times: "He is radioactive on the doorstep," they said.

"Local campaigns have been desperate for him not to come and campaign for them."