Strong indications are coming from the Northgate Arena that Labour could pull off a famous victory as a recount takes place to find out who will become MP for Chester.

There were signs the Tories were ready to concede victory earlier today until it became clear the result was just too close to call, with a matter of no more than 100 votes rumoured to be dividing Tory candidate and incumbent MP Stephen Mosley and Labour hopeful Chris Matheson.

But the word from the leisure centre where the count is taking place is that those 100 votes might favour Mr Matheson.

And if this does turn out to be the case, it would be the first time for decades that Chester had voted contrary to the majority of the nation which seems on the verge of returning David Cameron to Downing Street just one seat short of an overall majority.

Ironically, that one seat could end up being the City of Chester which would be a major embarrassment for the local party which steered Mr Mosley to victory in 2010 when he took the seat back from Labour’s Christine Russell who was originally elected as part of the Blair landslide in 1997.

The Chester result was originally due to be declared at about 4am but almost two hours later, a recount was announced and at almost 7am, there was still no sign of a declaration.

However, Liberal Democrat candidate Bob Thompson has admitted he is expecting to finish in fourth place behind UKIP candidate Steve Ingram.

Later on today, the results will start to be announced of the Cheshire West and Chester Council elections.