Local election results LIVE: Keir Starmer bracing for disastrous night as polls close amid claims Ed Miliband demands PM set out resignation timetable

Polling stations across England have closed as voters have had their say on who should be running their councils.

Almost 25,000 candidates are fighting to be elected to more than 5,000 seats on 136 councils across England.

Tonight is expected to be the toughest test for the Prime Minister since the general election in 2024, with devastating results predicted for the Labour Party.

Around 1,850 Labour seats are expected to be lost in councils across England, according to polling guru Lord Robert Hayward.

Polling experts will be keeping a close eye on the 32 London boroughs where Labour is expected to be hit with heavy losses to Zack Polanski's Green Party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

In his final message, Mr Farage hit out at Sir Keir, branding him “gutless” and accused the Tories of failing to remove the “unpatriotic” Prime Minister.

He added: "Together, we can continue the journey of getting our great country back on track. Reform made history and won the local elections last year. If you really want change, go out and vote for it again today."

Mr Polanski said he will lead his party to "record-breaking local elections" and "win more councillors than ever before".

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he is feeling "very, very positive" as he went to cast his ballot, with his party forecast to also make strong gains across the country.

Where are the key councils to look out for?

All 32 London borough councils will be a good indicator for how Labour are currently holding up, with the party being squeezed by both Reform UK and the Green Party.

While Zack Polanski's party look to make gains in councils including Haringey, Hackney and Lewisham, Reform are looking to take on Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives for control of Bexley, Bromley and Hillingdon.

The Liberal Democrats are looking to keep control of their Richmond upon Thames stronghold and gain Merton off Labour, with the Conservatives aiming to take back the “crown jewel” councils of Wandsworth and Westminster.

Birmingham City Council is another key seat to keep an eye on, where all eyes will be on the performance of the pro-Gaza independents.

In the East of England Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives are braced for a tough night, as Reform UK is set to take the Tory strongholds of both Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as Thurrock from Labour.

Up in Yorkshire, the Greens are also set to perform well in cities such as Leeds, while the Lib Dems will be hoping to improve their showing in Sheffield.