Residents of Bedford will find out later on Friday who will become the new executive mayor of the town.

Newspaper owner and Better Bedford Independent candidate Frank Branston and Liberal Democrat councillor Christine McHugh have beaten another six hopefuls to go through to a second round in the election.

Mr Branston is now the favourite to win, having polled 9,557 votes - roughly twice the votes given to Ms McHugh.

The count resumes at 1000 BST on Friday.

Turnout low

The second choice preferences of those who voted for the other six candidates will be added to the results of the top two.

The result of the first count was announced at 0215 BST to a crowd of about 300 who had gathered in the Corn Exchange on St Paul's Square.

Turnout was just 25.3% - the highest among the four areas in England that held mayoral elections on Thursday.

Independents performed strongly elsewhere, with local newsagent Tony Eggington winning in Mansfield in Nottinghamshire and former Citizens' Advice Bureau manager Mike Wolfe becoming mayor of Stoke-on-Trent.

In Hackney in London, the leader of the council Jules Pipe won for the Labour Party.