Straight fight in Doncaster's mayoral poll

Second preference votes will be counted to determine whether Mr Davies or Mrs Jones will be elected

The race to be elected as mayor of Doncaster has become a straight fight between Labour's Ros Jones and current incumbent Peter Davies.

After the first preference votes were counted Mrs Jones and independent candidate Mr Davies were clear frontrunners.

The winner of the election will now be decided on second preference votes.

Mrs Jones received 21,996 first preference votes while Mr Davies secured 21,406.

The secondary count is under way, having been delayed when a full recount was ordered.

Turnout for the vote was 28%, with 62,132 voting out of an electorate of 223,608. In 2009 the turnout was 35%.

Mr Davies was elected to the position in 2009 as an English Democrat but quit the party in February over claims of an influx of new members joining from the British National Party.

Mrs Jones is currently Doncaster Council's Askern Spa ward member.

A full recount was ordered at 14:30 BST because of discrepancies with spoiled votes.

Returning officer Jo Miller said the result of the first preferential vote was "very tight".

BBC Radio Sheffield political reporter James Vincent said Labour "don't tend to pick up many second preference votes".

He added: "Now, whether Peter Davies will be able to pick up any from the other candidates, maybe the Conservatives, maybe some of the independents, that will remain to be seen."

All three main political parties were represented alongside the English Democrats, Trade Unionists and Socialists, and National Front.

Three independent candidates also put their names forward, as well as a Save Your Services representative.

The other eight candidates were eliminated after the first round.

Votes for those candidates will be redistributed according to the voters' second preferences.

Counting began shortly after 09:00 BST at Doncaster Racecourse.

The final result will be announced later.

The ballot is the fourth time the town has voted for an elected mayor since the post was created in 2002.