Counting continues today in the Northern Ireland local elections, with Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Partyshowing the greatest gains so far.
With over two-thirds of the 582 results collated, the DUP had won 91 seats and Sinn Féin had 72.
The UUP have 99 and the SDLP had won 72 when counting ceased last night. The count is due to conclude this afternoon.
The DUP’s poll was up fiveper cent, the UUP down by the same figure, Sinn Féin were up four per cent and the SDLP down one.
Sinn Féin was leading the way on Belfast City Council after securing 11 of 23 seats decided after 10 hours of counting in the PR poll.
The party aims to eclipse the UUP and become the largest party on the council and provide its first lord mayor.
With six seats yet to be decided last night, the SDLP, the DUP and the UUP all had three seats each. Sinn Féin had 11, the Alliance party one, and the PUP two.
Counting in five of nine council wards began in Belfast City Hall with the Lower Falls and Upper Falls wards - Sinn Féin strongholds in west Belfast - the first to be decided.
Mr Billy Hutchinson of the PUP narrowly retained his seat in Oldpark, where the Catholic population has grown in recent years. The SDLP took one seat in the ward, with Sinn Féin topping the poll and securing three seats.