Ukip captures Labour fortress in South Yorkshire by-election

Ukip surged on in the latest council by-elections, storming a previously rock-solid Labour stronghold at Rawmarsh in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

However Labour managed to snatch some compensation by taking a Tory seat at Weymouth and Portland Borough, Dorset.

There was also some cheer for Conservatives in Somerset when they won a county council contest delayed from May 2 by a candidate's death. This boosted their knife-edge lead on the authority to three seats.