A man has died after the van he was driving crashed into the central reservation on the A1 near Grantham.

Image source, streetview

The collision happened at about 23:30 on Thursday on the southbound carriageway.

Lincolnshire Police said the man, in his fifties, was driving a white Ford Transit van with a trailer.

The Force is asking witnesses to come forward and appealing to drivers who may have dashcam footage to get in touch.

Highways England said the A1 is currently closed southbound between Harlaxton and Little Ponton and is warning motorists to expect delays of up to 45 minutes.

West Lindsey District Council remains in Conservative control following yesterday's local elections, but their majority has taken a hit.

The party, which has been in charge of the authority for the past 11 years, has a two-seat majority.

Council leader Jeff Summers said: "We knew it was going to be difficult....We did have 24 seats on the council, we now have 19.

"It will be more difficult and we'll have to be more precise in the way we conduct ourselves and do our business," he added.

The Conservatives remain in control of Boston Borough Council following Thursday's local elections, maintaining their 16 seats.

The Tory group's leader, Michael Cooper, says he didn't think they'd perform so well.

"People were pretty disillusioned around Brexit and they felt let down by the government," he said.

"We thought that would translate into a bit of a backlash, a bit of anti-Conservative vote over Brexit, but as it turned out it didn't come that way."

Labour remains at the helm of City of Lincoln Council after successfully defending 10 of its 11 seats.

The party has had overall control of the authority since 2011.

The group's leader, Ric Metcalfe, said: "I do think this has been a difficult election for all political parties with the strong cross winds of Brexit blowing across, what should be, consideration by local people of local issues."

The Conservatives have lost control of North Kesteven District Council and the result of Thursday's local elections means the authority's leadership is, for the moment, unknown.

Together, the Lincolnshire Independents and a separate group of independents have more seats than the Tories but it's not clear if they'll join forces.

The 43rd and final seat will be decided through a by-election next month.

Leader of the Lincolnshire Independents, Marianne Overton, said the group would hold talks with the other independents.

She added: "We really do have a cracking group of candidates, so it's been a really exciting and vibrant team and I really hope we get a cracking good number into the council to really bring some change and some excitement and some real vibrancy."

The Conservatives take control of North East Lincolnshire for the first time as Labour hold on to Hull

The Conservatives have lost control of North Kesteven Council after the party lost eight seats to independent candidates.

Image source, Getty Images

It leaves the Tories with 20 seats, while Lincolnshire Independents have 16 and there are six other independents.

It is not clear if the two independent groups will work together to run the authority.

Marianne Overton, leader of the Lincolnshire Independents in North Kesteven, praised her "terrific team" for the results.

She said it would mean "driving the council forward in a different way" and they would not be "focusing on national party politics".

Control of North East Lincolnshire Council has changed hands for the first time in the authority's history, with the Conservative party now in charge after a series of shock results.

Labour had previously run the council with Liberal Democrat support as no party had a majority.

Conservative leader Philip Jackson, said: "We will try our best for North East Lincolnshire, for everyone, regardless of whether they voted for us. One of the things we need to focus on is the regeneration of the local area."

The leader of the Labour group, Dave Watson, admitted the result was disheartening: "I'm disappointed for the candidates. There's been a lot of work getting the Labour message out there. We are a party of growth, we are a party which looks after the vulnerable."

Find your result and follow the others as they come in using our interactive map.

Independents gain control of North Kesteven District Council.

Pritti Mistry
BBC News Online

He may be the "youngest ever councillor" in North Lincolnshire, but 21-year-old Josh Walshe says he wants to "see more opportunities" for other youngsters to get into politics.

The Conservative councillor's win for the Burringham and Gunness ward is his "proudest achievement" after entering politics six months ago.

The Tories keep control of West Lindsey District Council.

Conservatives retain control of South Holland District Council.

Pritti Mistry
BBC News Online

As North East Lincolnshire continues forth with a Conservative council, we take a brief look at the stats:

Conservative seats: 23 (+5)Labour seats: 14 (-6)Lib Dem seats: 4 (no change)UKIP seats: 1 (+1)

Turnout: 27.3% (-2.4%)

Huge smiles adorn faces and arms are flung in the air as the Tories celebrate winning control of North East Lincolnshire Council.

Conservative MP for Boston & Skegness says he's relieved his party has kept hold of Boston Borough Council.

Meet 21-year-old Joshe Walshe. He's been confirmed as North Lincolnshire's 'youngest ever Conservative councillor' in the Burringham and Gunness ward.

Pritti Mistry
BBC News Online

Labour MP for Scunthorpe Nic Dakin says the discontent among voters is echoed by MPs including himself.

The 63-year-old was giving his opinion while counts were being verified in his constituency.

And he said it was "good news" his party had "taken back control" of City of Lincoln Council.

As counting continues in Boston, sources in the Conservative Party predict they will lose control of the council there, as they fear a drop in their previous 16 seats held.

Conservatives have gained North East Lincolnshire Council from no overall control.