Another Conservatives loss, this time in Maidstone - which now has no overall majority.

There's been no change in Tandridge in Surrey where there was no overall majority.

Jack Fiehn
BBC Radio Surrey political reporter

Image source, Grahame Larter

Housing – as always – is one of the big local election issues in Surrey.

Across Surrey, there is often significant opposition towards the idea of new developments and building thousands of new homes, particularly on sites in the green belt.

There is a large amount of this type of protected countryside and not many alternative, brownfield sites.

At the same time, there is a problem with a lack of affordable homes, which prevents many people, including key workers like nurses, teachers and police officers, from living in the area.

The redevelopment and regeneration of town centres, including in places like Woking and Guildford, is another issue which has proved to be controversial.

Once again, people can be sensitive when it comes to changing the area in which they live.

There also appears to be a growing concern over other environment issues, including sewage being put into rivers and proposals to drill for oil in the countryside.

Charlotte Wright
Political Editor, BBC South East

Image source, PA Media

Labour activists in Medway were crying tears of joy when the seats were announced that gave them the majority on the council.

This was the result they had been dreaming of.

Not since the early days of Tony Blair's premiership have they had local authority control here in Medway.

In the weeks leading up to polling day, they told me this year was their best chance of winning.

They've been helped by national dissatisfaction with the Tories, a change in some ward boundaries and hard work on the doorstep.

The question is, does it end here for Labour? Can Labour convert their success this morning into seats at the next general election?

Read more here from Medway

Hamish Mureddu-Reid
BBC News

If you're just joining us for the latest results from the local elections in Kent, Sussex and Surrey then you've come to the right place.

Medway has already fallen to Labour, and counting is under way elsewhere.

Across Kent 10 borough and district councils are holding full elections, with two electing a third of their members.

In Sussex, 11 councils are busy counting votes.

And in Surrey six councils are holding full elections, with a third of seats in five others up for grabs.

Results are expected to start coming in from about 1:30 this afternoon.

We'll bring you those results as we get them.

Jack Fiehn
BBC Radio Surrey political reporter

Image source, Tandridge District Council

For years they were the dominant force, but at recent elections the Conservatives have been losing seats and before this year's election there are just two councils - Reigate & Banstead and Runnymede - where they have had an outright majority (although the party does run Spelthorne and Surrey Heath as minority administrations).

National polls do not suggest their fortunes will improve. But we will wait and see what happens as the results come in.

The Liberal Democrats will be aiming to keep control of Woking and Mole Valley.

The party has also been targeting places like Guildford, Waverley, Elmbridge and Surrey Heath.

There is a history of Residents' Associations and Independents doing well in Surrey.

They have been in charge at Epsom & Ewell since the 1930s and now run a minority administration at Tandridge.

They are also part of coalitions at Guildford, Elmbridge and Waverley and will be hoping to maintain their progress

Labour and the Green Party have several councillors across the area and will also be looking for gains.

Ben Weisz
BBC Radio Sussex political reporter

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

It used to be that parts of Sussex were so deeply Conservative that election results felt a foregone conclusion. No longer.

Greens, Lib Dems and independents are talking openly of entering administration in places like Horsham.

There’s talk of a close result in Mid Sussex where every single council seat was held by a Conservative just five years ago.

That said, Conservatives in coastal parts of the county are in good spirits, hopeful of a better result.

What’s driving the change? The Conservatives' national poll ratings are only a small part of the picture.

Look locally where Greens and Lib Dems are wrestling for the title of the "real" party of rural England, sewage and perceived threats to wildlife are infuriating voters, and housing continues to divide communities.

And that’s before we get to Brighton – where the traditional three-way fight looks set to become a straight Labour-Green contest.

The conclusion to this election is anything but foregone.

Rehman Chishti, Conservative MP for Gillingham, says good councillors on Medway Council have lost their seats because the government's levelling up policy is too focussed on the north.

Counting has begun across East and West Sussex, with talk of Conservative majorities being at risk.

Keir Starmer tells supporters in Medway that Labour are on course to win a majority at the next general election.

Image source, Maidstone Borough Council

Some councils counted votes overnght, but most will not start until this morning.

Here are our estimates of when each South East council will declare its results:

1.30pm – Folkestone & Hythe

2pm: Crawley, Elmbridge, Maidstone, Surrey Heath

2.30pm: Reigate & Banstead

3pm: Tunbridge Wells, Wealden

3.30pm: Tandridge

4pm, Dover, Gravesham, Woking

4.30pm: Chichester, Spelthorne

5pm: Canterbury, Eastbourne, Epsom & Ewell, Lewes, Sevenoaks

5.30pm: Horsham, Thanet, Tonbridge & Malling

6pm: Arun, Ashford, Dartford, Guildford, Rother

7pm: Brighton and Hove, Waverley, Mole Valley

7.30pm: Mid Sussex

Sir Keir Starmer was met with cheers and applause in Medway as he toasted them for winning control of the council.

Read more here

The main story from overnight in the South East has been the news that the Tories have lost control of Medway for the first time in more than 20 years.

Labour secured 33 seats, which was enough to take control of the council. The Conservatives have 22 and there are four independents.

Sir Keir Starmer is visiting Chatham in the wake of the win for his party, telling local campaigners: "You blew the doors off."

Read more here

Image source, Reuters

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from BBC South East.

Throughout the day we will be bringing you the latest results, reaction and analysis following local elections in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

These are the first elections to be held in England in which voters were required to provide photo ID before casting their ballots - you can read more about that here.

In the meantime, if you want to contact us, you can do so via email, Facebook, external, Twitter, external