THE announcement of the final results of the Hampshire County Council elections has been pushed back after a false fire alarm.

The results were expected to be announced tonight as counting is under way.

But Winchester City Council has confirmed that counting will resume tomorrow at 10am following a false fire alarm at River Park Leisure Centre.

In a statement which has just been released the city council said: "There was a fire alarm at 7.30pm at River Park Leisure Centre. 

"Following a short evacuation, all count observers, candidates and staff are accounted for. 

"We are adjourning for today (Friday 7 May) and will return to continue the verification and proceed to the count of Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council ballots tomorrow (Saturday 8 May) at 10am. 

"We will share further updates throughout the day tomorrow."

This means that the final results of the county council elections will not be announced tonight.

It comes as all of the 78 seats at the county council are up for grabs as county-wide elections are held every four years.

Meanwhile, counting across the rest of the county continues.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue spokesperson confirmed that firefighters had attended the Leisure Centre but said it was a "false alarm".