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Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, external has also been held by the Conservatives, who gained three seats, with the Lib Dems, Greens and Independents losing one each.

And in Kent, the Conservatives held Tunbridge Wells Borough Council,, external gaining four seats while UKIP lost two, and Labour and the Independents lost one each.

The Conservatives have also held Runnymede Borough Council, external, gaining one seat.

The Residents Associations gained two, Independents lost two and UKIP lost one.

The Conservatives have held Elmbridge Borough Council, external in Surrey, increasing their majority from four to six seats.

One third of the 60 seats were up for grabs.

The Conservatives gained one, the Lib Dems one and Residents Associations lost two.

The Conservatives were close to securing half of the total vote in the South East.

Labour and UKIP were second and third, with both polling about 20%.

Jack Fiehn
BBC Sussex

Resident Association councillors have kept control of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council , external- a record that goes back to the 1930s.

There is still no party in overall control of Maidstone Borough Council., external

The Conservatives and independents each gained one seat with UKIP losing two.

The new council has 25 Conservatives, 20 Lib Dems, six independents two Labour and two UKIP.

Labour has narrowly kept control of Crawley Borough Council , externaldespite losing two seats to the Conservatives.

The council, where one third of the 37 seats were contested, is now made up of 19 Labour and 18 Conservatives.

Labour previously had a majority of five.

Jack Fiehn
BBC Sussex

In Mole Valley, external the Conservatives now have overall control of the council.

UKIP's Diane James, who is also an MEP, has lost her seat as a councillor in Waverley, external to the Conservatives.

Louise Stewart
Political editor, South East

The political colours of the South East - the pollsters certainly didn't predict this outcome.

The Conservatives have held Dover District Council, external, but with a decreased majority.

UKIP gained three seats, Labour lost two and the Tories lost one on the Kent council, where all 45 seats were contested.

The new council is made up of 25 Conservatives, 17 Labour and three UKIP.

We'll bring you the results of the South East's local council elections on this live page as they are declared throughout the afternoon and early evening.

You can tweet us using the hashtag #SEVote, external and email your pictures and comments.

How do you think the election results will impact on the South East?

Tweet us using the hashtag #SEVote, external to let us know your thoughts. You can also email, external us.

Norman Smith
BBC Assistant Political Editor

This has been an election which may have more profound consequences than almost any other in living memory.

Image source, PA

We now face a generational decision about our future in Europe, with an EU referendum in two years' time almost certain.

There will also be serious questions about the future of the Union, following an SNP landslide that has turned Scotland into a virtual one-party state.

David Cameron's victory also represents a colossal achievement.

Read BBC South East political editor Louise Stewart's analysis of the region's general election result.

She says: "The pollsters certainly didn't predict this outcome."

Her verdict: "It was a good night for the Conservatives and the Greens, catastrophic for the Lib Dems, truly dreadful for Labour and not good for UKIP."

Guildford council, external tweets: "Set up well underway for the #Guildford local election count."

Image source, Guildford Borough Council

Results will be announced ward by ward as they are declared throughout the afternoon and early evening.

All 48 seats on the previously Conservative-run council are up for grabs.

Louise Stewart
Political editor, South East

Nationally the Conservatives took almost 37% of vote; Labour 31% and UKIP 13%.

The Conservatives strengthened their dominance in the South East and held UKIP at bay in key marginals in the region.

Here are two maps that show the changing political makeup of region.

Many borough and district councils across Kent, Surrey and Sussex are expected to declare the results of Thursday's local elections during the afternoon.

Tandridge, external and Worthing, external have already announced the Conservatives have held control with increased majorities.

But several councils won't be counting until Saturday, including Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Rother, Wealden and Thanet.

Below are the total votes cast for the political parties across the South East TV region: