The polls for more than 8,000 council seats on 230 councils, and four mayors, across England have closed.
Millions of votes will now be counted in the first big test of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s electoral popularity.
Some people were unable to cast their vote due to new rules requiring voters to show photo ID, the Electoral Commission has confirmed.
The first results are now coming in, with counting set to continue overnight in 64 council areas.
The first change of control came from Brentwood, Essex, where the Tories lost two seats to the Lib Dems meaning the party no longer has a majority in the council chamber.
Among other early results, Labour retained Sefton and Exeter, while the Tories held on to Basildon and Redditch.
However, as predicted, the Conservatives are so far going backwards while Labour and the Liberal Democrats are making progress.
The last time these seats were up for election in 2019, the Conservative Party had its worst results in a generation in its traditional heartlands.
Results will continue to be declared throughout Friday, including the four mayoral contests in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.
The final result is forecast to be declared at around 20:00 BST, although this could be later depending on factors such as recounts.
Elections are not taking place in London, Scotland or Wales. Northern Ireland will go to the polls in local elections on 18 May.
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