Labour make sweeping gains from the Tories
The Tories lost Southend and Harlow but held onto other councils in Essex.
It was a mixed night for the Liberal Democrats who lost their outright majority on Cambridge City Council but increased their number in Colchester.
Ed Miliband in Harlow
Ed Miliband visits key battleground after his party seize Harlow in local elections
Election 2012: Colchester
Colchester Borough Council remain hung with the Liberal Democrats as the largest party following the local elections.
Election 2012: Winners and losers in the East
Emma Hutchinson rounds up election day in the East