France local elections: Polls suggest Conservative win

The UMP Party, led by former president Nicolas Sarkozy, appears to have won France's local elections, according to exit polls.

The UMP and its allies look set to secure at least 65 local councils, up from 41.

The ruling Socialist Party led by President Francois Hollande suffered heavy losses, while the far-right National Front appeared to have won a significant number of seats.

Hugh Schofield reports.