Tories 'back in business in North'

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Mr Hague said victories in Chester and South Ribble were the start of a "Conservative revival".

The shadow foreign secretary said: "These elections show that the Conservative party is back in business in the North.

"We have taken control of Chester and South Ribble and made significant advances in Bury, Crewe and Nantwich, Preston, Sunderland, Barrow and many others.

"And we are on course to have control of more councils than Labour in the North West.

"This is the beginning of the Conservative revival in the north of England."

But Mr Hague's comments were mocked by the Labour Party, with a spokesman saying he "should perhaps spend a little more time on the campaign trail and a little less time on the lecture circuit" if he was convinced the results were a breakthrough.

Labour Party chairwoman Hazel Blears told the BBC: "I think you do have to look across the country. Look at Bolton, Bury, Barrow and Crewe.

"Just a couple of days ago David Cameron was saying they had to make gains in Bolton and Bury otherwise they won't be breaking through in the North.

"I think this is a really serious issue."