The Liberal Democrats have claimed victory in the by-election in Somerton and Frome.

Sarah Dyke, a local councillor and the candidate for the Lib Dems, claimed to have taken the seat in Somerset from the Conservatives.

Around half the ballot boxes had arrived in the Bath & West Showground when the Lib Dems declared victory.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “We’ve not just won, we’ve romped home. The Conservative vote is in freefall.”

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of David Warburton. Mr Warburton had a majority of 19,213 at the 2019 election.

Rishi Sunak is braced for a possible triple by-election blow after polls closed in contests which will be viewed as a test of his leadership.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged that holding the seats, including Boris Johnson’s former constituency, will be a “tough battle” and Tory allies have insisted the contest the party is focused on is the general election next year.

For Labour, winning the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat vacated by Mr Johnson and the Selby and Ainsty constituency formerly held by his ally Nigel Adams would be a major boost for Sir Keir Starmer.