VOTES in Haringey are yet to start being counted.

The 260 counters in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace have spent the last four-and-a-half hours verfiying ballot cards, but have not started counting them.

Delays were caused after officers did a "final sweep" of council offices to ensure all postal votes had been collected.

The count will not begin until the cards arrive and are also verified.

An early result return is now unlikely, and could come as late as 5am.