Voting takes place in 279 English local authorities today, amid predictions of dramatic gains for UKIP and a drubbing for Conservative councillors.

Around 9,500 seats are up for grabs in 194 district councils, 127 of which will be all-out elections, in 49 unitary councils - including 30 all-out votes - and 36 metropolitan district councils.

The Conservatives hold 136 of the councils up for grabs in today's local polls but party sources are anticipating heavy losses of up to 400 of the 5,110 seats they are defending.