Nick Clegg hails strong set of local election results

2.09.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd May 2008

Lib Dems Winning in St Albans with Nick Clegg

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg has praised the party's strong performance in the local elections. He said "Against the predictions of most pundits, we have successfully defended the record number of council seats that we won in 2004 - the best ever year previously for the Liberal Democrats - and have had a net gain of 34 seats this year. For only the second time in our history, we have out polled Labour getting 25% of the vote to Labour's 24%."

"This is a very strong performance and a great tribute to the hard work of our councillors up and down the country. It has been a very good night for us."

Notes:

The Liberal Democrats have gained St Albans, Sheffield, Burnley and Hull and are only one seat short of overall control in Oldham (4 gains), Warrington (1 gain) and Cheltenham (3 gains).

The Liberal Democrats have also held Cambridge, Eastleigh, Liverpool, Rochdale, Stockport, Newcastle, Watford, Three Rivers and South Lakeland and continue to be the largest party in Cardiff (2 gains), Sefton (1 gain), North East Lincolnshire (1 gain). They are now also the biggest party in Derby (5 gains), Exeter (1 gain) and Wrexham (3 gains).