The Conservatives spent 16 years controlling the former county council before taking hold of the unitary when it was created in 2021.

However, last year, the once-blue county turned predominantly red in the general election, with Labour taking five of the seven parliamentary constituencies.

Labour holds 36 seats across both North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

Reform UK has four councillors in North Northamptonshire - all from politicians defecting to the party.

The Greens are fielding candidates for all seats in North Northamptonshire and several in the West.

While the Lib Dems are standing at least one candidate in all wards across Northamptonshire, apart from one.

There’s also a number of independents standing across the county with several candidates looking to hold onto their seats.

Image source, Laura Coffey/BBC

In the last few moments, we've just heard the turnouts for both councils.

West Northamptonshire Council saw 32.16% of voters head to the polls.

Slightly fewer turned up in North Northamptonshire, with 31.6% of people casting their vote.

Laura Coffey
Political reporter, reporting from the North Northamptonshire count

Both the Conservatives and Labour are expecting a tough afternoon at the North Northamptonshire Council count.

Counting is under way in four wards, and there is a feeling Reform UK has done well.

The numbers have slightly changed over the past four years due to by-elections in both districts, resignations and defections.

North Northamptonshire Council currently has 50 Conservatives, 16 Labour, four Reform UK members, three Greens and three Independents.

At West Northamptonshire Council, there are currently 59 Conservatives, 20 Labour, six Liberal Democrats, four non-aligned Independents and three Independent group members.

Sam Read
Reporting from the West Northamptonshire count

Senior local Conservatives are very downbeat at the West Northamptonshire count.

One tells me the party, which has held a clear majority in the county for years, faces "wipeout".

A second says "complete change" is coming as they battle Reform UK, which they fear could become the biggest party on the council.

They could win an overall majority based on "national issues", another source adds.

Image source, Getty Images

These are only the second council elections to take place for West and North Northamptonshire councils after the scrapping of the previous authorities in 2021.

Following boundary changes, there has been a reduction in the number of councillors in North Northamptonshire from 78 to 68.

This time, there are 31 wards in total - 12 wards will have three councillors, 13 will have two councillors, and six will have just one representative.

The election for the Higham Ferrers ward of North Northamptonshire Council is being rearranged following the death of a candidate.

In West Northamptonshire, the number of elected councillors has been reduced from 93 to 76.

This time, there are 35 wards - 13 will have three councillors, 15 wards will have two councillors, and seven will have just one ward councillor.

Image source, Laura Coffey/BBC

We're already hearing of some breaking news at the North Northants count...

Former Wellingborough MP Peter Bone and long-term partner Helen Harrison have got engaged!

Harrison, a Conservative ward councillor for Oundle, said Bone got down on one knee at The Collyweston Slater pub in Stamford.

It was this pub where they first met years ago.

Harrison tells our political reporter Laura Coffey that a date for the big day hasn't been set yet, but they're eyeing up September.

Bone was ousted from Parliament in December 2023 after an investigation by its behaviour watchdog.

Potholes:

Across the county, and the country, potholes really get people talking.

Last year, the state of Daventry's roads, covered by West Northamptonshire, was talked about on national radio and provoked a political row. It even inspired a baker to create a pothole pastry.

Special educational needs:

There have been protests and campaign groups set up in both West and North Northamptonshire over special educational needs provision.

Planning:

Another big issue is around planning - whether that is for new wind or solar farms or warehouses for the logistics industry.

Much of Northamptonshire sits in the so-called Golden Logistics Triangle, and over the last four years, both councils have dealt with several applications for warehouses.

Here we go...

Our reporter at the scene in West Northants tells us counting has now begun.

Image source, Sam Read/BBC

Image source, Reuters

A record number of candidates are standing at this year's local council elections in Northamptonshire.

Nearly 2,500 nomination papers were submitted across the county for unitary, town, parish and community council elections.

The Conservatives, Labour and Reform UK are all fielding candidates across all the seats for the two unitary authorities.

The Greens are fielding candidates for all seats in North Northamptonshire and several in the West.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems are standing at least one candidate in all wards across Northamptonshire, apart from one.

Image source, North Northamptonshire Council

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the local elections taking place in Northamptonshire.

Voters went to the polling booths on Thursday to vote for seats at the two unitary councils of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

The councils replaced the old county and district council set-up, and at their first elections in 2021, huge Conservative majorities were recorded.

Counting has begun in Kettering, where the North Northants votes are being tallied up, and we're waiting for it to kick-off in West Northants.

Stick with us for the latest results and reaction.