By Rachel Wood: Conservative councillors are celebrating after holding their control in Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

By John Hudson: The British National Party (BNP) have lost all five of their seats on the Stoke-on-Trent council.

By James Drakeford: In a stunning landslide victory, Labour has won control of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The Labour Party gained 34 of the 44 seats available, while the British National Party (BNP) has lost all five of its seats.

The Liberal Democrats are also no longer represented in the city – they lost both of their seats.

By Holly Ranford: The Liberal Democrats suffered another blow as Labour regained the majority in Cannock Chase Council.

Council leader Neil Stanley lost his seat in the Hagley Ward to Labour’s Gordon Craig Brown as the Lib Dem vote collapsed.

Cllr Stanley was not present for the result but is believed to have made a brief appearance at the count during the night.

By Halima Amin: United Against Fascism has announced anti-BNP campaigns in Stoke-on-Trent ahead of May’s local elections, labelling the party “fascists”, StaffsLive can reveal.

The elections will see changes in Stoke City Council in an “all out” election as wards will also now have reduced numbers of councillors.

By James Truswell: A BNP councillor has appeared on an anti-BNP website holding a Union Jack flag – standing next to three men doing a Nazi  salute on a War Memorial in Stone.
Cllr Steve Batkin, who has served the Bentilee ward since 2003, has said he was attending a funeral and he has not had contact with the men since.
Maurice Cousins is the Deputy Editor of ‘Nothing British’, where the image is currently appearing:
“We thought this was disgraceful considering the British National Party dresses itself up in the flag …

By James Truswell: Stoke-on-Trent Labour group leader Mohammed Pervez has said he will not make a “knee-jerk” reaction into forming a city council coalition.
The Labour group’s successful local election campaign saw their seats on the council rise from 14 to 26 of the 60 available seats.
The party now holds the most seats on the council but, like the Tories after the General Election, not enough for an outright majority.
Now the Labour group has two options – to form a coalition with another party or to rule as a minority.
Cllr …

By James Truswell: Labour have regained a significant majority in the Stoke-on-Trent City Council local elections as the BNP lost seats.
Labour won 17 seats of the 20 on offer – including five holds and 12 gains.
The BNP lost the two seats they were defending and failed in their attempt to regain ex-BNP member Alby Walker’s Abbey Green ward which was won by Labour candidate Gwen Hassall.
The BNP have seen their seats on the council nearly halve since last year from nine to five.
And in the midst of ambiguity and decreased …

By James Truswell: Stoke-on-Trent British National Party leader Michael Coleman has said he respects Islamic states – and is still hopeful of a positive response from Muslims after trying to canvas support.
Mr Coleman wrote a letter to local Muslims yesterday (May 3) to ask for their vote in the general election.
And he believes his letter is being considered by the Islamic community.
He said: “They haven’t contacted us back yet which means we believe they are considering the offer from the BNP.”
Mr Coleman – BNP candidate for the …

By Michelle Yeomans and Kellie Hill: The British National Party have launched their general election manifesto in Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffslive spoke to local people on what they think about the party’s manifesto launch in their area:

Leader Nick Griffin outlined his party’s policies at the Civic Centre this afternoon (April 23).
The controversial visit saw protesters gathered outside the venue as Mr Griffin, flanked by a man dressed as St George, spoke about multiculturalism inside.
The BNP leader began his speech by wishing everyone a happy St Georges Day, a move which pleased supporters …