Are there local election exit polls and when are results announced?

Local elections have taken place across the country on Thursday as people vote for their new councillors.

Polling stations across the country opened their doors at 7am on Thursday 2 May and closed again at 10pm - but when will we find out the results?

Unlike General Elections and the European election, there are no exit polls for the local elections, so you'll have to sit tight to see the results.

What is an exit poll?

An exit poll is an anonymous poll that is taken immediately after voters have left the station to see how they have voted. Researchers ask voters which councillor they voted for, as well as their age, race, and gender.

Therefore, exit poll results give an indication as to which parties are the most popular and these measurements are used in elections to predict how the elections will play out.

Because not everyone voluntarily takes part in the poll, and voters attend the station at different times throughout the day, the exit poll is not always 100% reliable.

Exit polls are aired live on TV for election coverage.

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When will you find out the result?

Polling stations close at 10pm on Thursday night for all 10 borough councils in Greater Manchester. Counting will commence and will take place over night for nine of the councils, therefore results can be expected to be revealed in the early hours of Friday morning.

But this isn't the case for Manchester City Council. Their count doesn't take place until Friday, so expect results to show in the afternoon.

If you need help in figuring out which your local borough council is, and where your local polling station is, check out our guide on everything you need to know about the local elections 2019.