Vote 2012: Labour retake Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil councils

Labour have retaken control of Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil councils as they make significant gains in the local elections.

They were among 21 unitary local authorities in Wales being contested.

The party lost control of both councils in 2008, which have since been run by independent-led groups.

Labour were also making strong progress towards retaking Newport, and were hoping to recapture Caerphilly from a Plaid Cymru-led administration.

The Labour AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Huw Lewis, said of the party's win in Merthyr: "Labour group leader Brendan Toomey has led the charge in a great grassroots campaign.

"This result is a testament to his leadership and that of hard working candidates across the borough."

In Caerphilly, former Labour Welsh Secretary Ron Davies, now representing Plaid Cymru, lost his seat on Caerphilly council.

The Plaid leader of the council, Allan Pritchard, also lost his seat as Labour looked to take overall control from the Plaid/Independent coalition.

Most councils are expected to declare during the early hours, but others, such as Rhondda Cynon Taf, are not due until the afternoon.

Labour is defending about 340 seats, Plaid Cymru almost 200, the Conservatives 165 and the Liberal Democrats 140. The rest were filled by independents or small parties.

Polls closed at 22:00 BST on Thursday.