For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The Green Party enjoyed a steady but unspectacular performance in the town hall elections, securing a foothold in councils across England.
It ended the day with around 20 gains as it picked up its seats in Bristol, Epping Forest, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Lambeth and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
It won three more seats on the Tory-run West Midlands authority of Solihull, where it has become the second largest party.
The Greens are also the official opposition in Liverpool, where they doubled their tally of councillors to four, and in Norwich, where they have 15 councillors.
Natalie Bennett, the party's leader, said: “We are seeing progress right around the country. We're becoming much more of a national party.”
Show all 34 1 /34In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage celebrates with a pint after early local election results in the Hoy and Helmet pub in South Benfleet in Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ukip leader Nigel Farage stands on stage after being re-elected as an MEP flanked by fellow Ukip MEPs Janice Atkinson (R) and Diane James (L)
AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage on stage after being re-elected as an MEP as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections
AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage (L) jokes with a TV crew before an interview at the declaration of the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections
AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ukip leader Nigel Farage sits with fellow candidates Janice Atkinson (L), Diane James (second right) and Ray Finch (R) as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections are declared by the returning officer at Southampton Guildhall
AFP/Getty Images
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A defaced UKIP poster showing the faces of Nigel Farage, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg in Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband shake hands with supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron arrive at the Polling Station in Westminster Central Hall to cast their vote in the European and Local Elections in London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg leaves his home after disappointing results in the UK Local elections in London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage leaves a polling station near Biggin Hill
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Council staff count votes from local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Council staff count votes from local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) members wait for results of local election during the counting of votes at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A ballot box containing votes in local elections is emptied at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A member of the Labour Party sleeps during the counting of votes in local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Cut-outs of the electoral wards in the Borough of Croydon are prepared to be placed on a map of the borough whilst votes in local elections continue to be counted at Trinity School
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron talks during a campaign rally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg leaves after casting his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A Conservative Party supporter gets ready for a campaign ally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron shakes a supporters hand during a Conservative party campaign rally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg walks past a bus stop to cast his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg speaks to the media upon leaving The Cabinet Office, Whitehall
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg talks to residents on Weybourne Drive as he delivers Liberal Democrats Party leaflets in Bredbury in Stockport
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage with supporters following good results in local elections in South Ockendon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Early local election results announced overnight show subsantial gains for UKIP
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 UKIP voters celebrate while waiting for Nigel Farage
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage meets supporters during a visit to South Ockendon, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A supporter gives the thumb-up for UKIP leader Nigel Farage as the latter prepares to leaves Thurrock in Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband speaks to journalists outside his house in North London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ed Miliband and his wife Justine leave a polling station after they casting their votes in Sutton, south Yorkshire
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage gives a media interview before leaving his home in Cudham, Kent
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage celebrates with two supporters during a visit to Basildon, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Farage's party could be on track to win the biggest share of British votes in elections for the European Parliament
She said she hoped the declaration of Sunday's Euro-election results would lead to a boost in the Greens' strength in the European Parliament. The party has been tipped to come fourth in the popular vote ahead of the Liberal Democrats.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies