Counting in NI local elections underway

The counting of the votes in the North's local elections got underway this morning and is expected to last for two days.

More than 600 council seats are up for grabs and the results are expected to mirror the outcome of the Westminster election, which saw the DUP making significant gains at the expense of the UUP.

Sinn Féin is also expected to gain ground at the expense of the SDLP.