Image source, AFP

The Bristol Post is reporting on rumours that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is on his way to Bristol, external in support of Marvin Rees.

Labour's mayoral candidate - who came second in the same election four years ago - is leading the way this time around after the first count of votes.

Bristol Rovers went behind but within three minutes, they got back on level terms.

Matty Cash fired Dagenham & Redbridge ahead in the 12th minute, but moments later Billy Bodin equalised.

Promotion is on the cards for The Gas today, but only if they win and Oxford or Accrington slip-up. 

Commentary on BBC Radio Bristol - 94.9FM.

In November 2012, Bristol's first directly-elected mayor was announced.

George Ferguson won the day with 37,353 votes, some 6,000 more than Labour's Marvin Rees.

But what will happen this time? Stay tuned, we'll let you know as soon as the result is in.

Ever wondered what happens to you ballot paper? Wonder no more! They're counted and end up in these boxes here.

Bet those high-viz jackets are a bit hot today, though.

Away from the election for a moment again - and Bristol Rovers have their big chance to gain promotion today.

A win, and a slip up from Oxford or Accrington, and they'll be in League One next season.

BBC Radio Bristol have live coverage this afternoon on 94.9FM.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Scroll back to 2012 and the race to be Bristol's inaugural directly-elected mayor came down to two candidates.

Marvin Rees (Labour) and George Ferguson (Independent) and they're in a two-horse race again.

After Labour's triumph in London, with Sadiq Khan elected as the city's new mayor, Jeremy Corbyn will be hoping to fling wide the party gates to include Marvin Rees.

Watch the moment returning officer Nicola Yates, chief executive of Bristol City Council, announced the results of the first round of counting.

Turnout = 44.87% 

Total votes cast = 140,314 

Total rejected votes = 1,813

Labour's Marvin Rees has a margin of more than 20,000 votes.

That's from the first round of votes, however it is not more than 50% of second placed George Ferguson.

So that means we're going to the count of the second preference votes.

The candidates have been called to Room 1 for the "provisional results".

You've been talking about the possibilities for who will be mayor of Bristol.

"Be ironic if a city that prides itself on not being London, elects a Labour major," writes Mark Jackson on BBC Points West's Facebook page, external.

Matt Hewlett commented: "As long as it's not Ferguson the work can begin on repairing the damage he has caused to this city."

But Lorraine Johnson replied: "Matt the next person could be worse."

Join in and post a comment on Facebook, or by tweeting BBC Radio Bristol, external or email us: bristol@bbc.co.uk.

We've had word from Hengrove, where the mayoral votes are being counted, to say we might have some results shortly.

However, the BBC's political correspondent Paul Barltrop says the first results are unlikely to decide the contest.

If it's a close race between the top two candidates, second preference votes will be needed.

Paul Barltrop
Political Editor, West of England

Hundreds of counters are hard at work sorting the ballot papers in the Bristol mayoral election. 

The big turnout of 45% had already raised Labour's hopes of their man Marvin Rees ousting Independent George Ferguson. 

And as the votes stack up, it looks increasingly likely that will be the case. 

The picture is of a close contest in the city's better-off areas but Labour clearly ahead in outlying estates.

Away from the elections, it's a big day for Bristol Rovers who could be promoted to League One if they win and other results go their way.

The Gas are at home to relegated Dagenham and Redbridge. But they need either Oxford United or Accrington to slip up to grab an automatic promotion spot.

If they don't ... it'll be the dreaded play-offs for Rovers.

Match coverage will be on BBC Radio Bristol this afternoon on 94.9FM.