Tories on top in Brum

The Conservatives became the largest single party on Birmingham City Council for the first time in 24 years.

But they did not win enough seats to take overall control of the city although they are likely to govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

Elsewhere, there were few early shocks across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

In Sandwell, Labour were up one seat and the Tories down three, while in Walsall Labour lost three and the Tories gained one.

UKIP lost its seats in Dudley with Labour up two and the Tories down one.

Health Concern ousted the Labour leader in Wyre Forest.

There was a Tory whitewash in South Staffordshire with Labour being left with just one seat.

* Full results to follow with more analysis and stories in Friday's Express & Star.