Leaders of the main political groups on Bradford Council were confident ahead of today’s local election results.

After weeks of campaigning, thousands of people visited polling stations across the district yesterday to vote in Bradford elections and in a national Alternative Vote referendum on whether to change the voting system.

Overnight counts were held at Richard Dunn sports centre in Odsal and Keighley Leisure Centre with the first results expected early today.

It is 11 years since a single party has managed overall control of the authority but Council and Labour group leader Ian Greenwood said last night: “We have been getting a very positive response on the doorsteps. Our view is it’s Labour voters who are voting.

“There’s a considerable dissatisfaction with the coalition particularly with the Liberal Democrats but also with the Conservatives and people are going out and supporting us.

“I would never be one to count my chickens but I’m hoping the electorate will realise that the Government is going in the wrong direction but we are doing a good job locally.”

Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: “We have not found much disillusionment with the coalition.

“People realise this is a local election and it’s about the quality of local councillors and the work that they do so we are getting a positive response to our councillors.

“The work we have been doing all year round is paying off.”

Councillor Ann Hawkesworth, leader of the Conservative group, said polling stations had been quieter than usual as more people used postal ballots.

She said: “I am optimistic in one or two places.

“We have had a good response from people during the run up to the election. There’s been some very hard campaigning in our marginals.”

Ahead of the election, the Council’s 90 seats were held by Labour with 39, Conservatives with 31, the Lib Dems 13, the Greens three, BNP two and Independent one, with a vacancy in the Idle and Thackley ward being decided.

The AV referendum count starts at 4pm today with a result due tonight. Keep up to date on the Telegraph & Argus website and in Saturday's Telegraph & Argus.