Sussex by-elections: Liberal Democrats hold seats

Local by-elections have been held in parts of Sussex, with the first results showing the Liberal Democrats holding onto its seats.

The party have held onto the Upperton and Langney wards in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

It has also kept control of the Midhurst Ward in Chichester District Council and Midhurst Division of West Sussex County Council.

Results for Westbourne and Poets’ Corner in Brighton & Hove City Council’s by-election were expected later.

In Eastbourne Borough Council’s Langney Ward, Reform UK came second, while the Conservatives were third.

The Conservatives were second and Reform third in the local authority’s Upperton Ward.

In both the Midhurst Ward and Midhurst Division, the Conservatives came second and Reform third.

Results are being declared across the country in the first major electoral test of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership and the Labour Party.

Polls were open on Thursday, with voters needing to have brought a form of photo ID with them to cast their ballot.

Votes in parts of Sussex were postponed because of major reforms of local councils.