Polls close in Greater Manchester mayoral by-election

Polls have closed in Greater Manchester in the by-election to succeed Andy Burnham as the region’s mayor.The contest, triggered by Mr Burnham’s election to Parliament last month, is by far the largest by-election in British history with more than two million people eligible to vote.Polling ahead of Thursday’s vote suggested Labour candidate Bev Craig, currently the leader of Manchester City Council, was on course to win by a comfortable margin.Her main rival is likely to be either Reform UK’s Sian Astley or the Green Party’s Geraldine Coggins.Hindley Community Fire Station being used as a polling station for the Greater Manchester mayoral election (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA) Other candidates were Phil Eckersley (Conservatives), Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats), Marlon West (Restore Britai