The dramatic victory in Runcorn and Helsby came after a recount - the Labour and Reform candidates were initially separated by just four votes.

After a confusing few hours, it was confirmed that just four votes were separating the two parties, with a full recount announced - meaning every vote was counted again. Eventually it was confirmed that Reform candidate Sarah Pochin had defeated Labour's Karen Shore by just six votes.

Nigel Farage’s right-wing populist party snatched a critical parliamentary seat from the governing Labour Party.