Labour remains in deadlock after more than eight hours of discussion failed to resolve how the party would form its shadow cabinet.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn did not respond to questions from reporters as members of his party eventually emerged from the national executive committee (NEC) meeting at 8.30pm.

But other senior figures in the party insisted the meeting, which began at 11am, was positive.

The NEC failed to reach a consensus on how its shadow cabinet would be formed, despite the lengthy talks.

Deputy leader Tom Watson had proposed allowing MPs to elect other MPs onto the party's shadow cabinet.

But Mr Corbyn does not have great support among the parliamentary party, and had instead proposed allowing ordinary members to have a say on shadow cabinet elections.

A motion from Mr Watson to make a decision on the finer details of the plan ahead of Saturday's leadership election result was voted down, by 16 votes to 15.

Mr Corbyn was among those to vote against it, but did agree to further talks with Mr Watson and other senior figures before the next NEC meeting this weekend, at the party's conference in Liverpool.

Mr Watson said afterwards: "I'm very pleased. We had a very positive meeting.

"We have talks arranged to try and bring the PLP back together, reporting back to our national executive committee on Saturday.

"We agreed 22 changes to our rules and guidance, all sorts of positive things I'm sure the media will be really interested in.

"It was a very positive meeting and a very long meeting, so I'm now going for something to eat."

Jon Trickett, NEC member and shadow business secretary, also called it "a very positive meeting".

He added: "We agreed to continue conversations. It's important that after this election for a new leader we reunite, because the Tories are doing awful things to our country and we intend to drive forward.

"It was a positive and productive conversation. The NEC meets on Saturday and we'll have further discussions at that point.

"There was a very fine decision to be taken, a very closely argued case which was made on both sides.

"In fact, when you looked at the resolution that was in front of us - which was voted on - actually there wasn't a huge difference between us.

"Both sides of the argument felt we'd come to a better understanding of each other.

"It felt like it was a turning point for the whole party and I'm very confident now that we can reunite."

The NEC did agree to have two new members with full voting rights from the Scottish and Welsh executives, a move welcomed by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.

She said afterwards: "It's a substantial change, we'll have our own say over policy, we'll have a say over our Westminster selections, but crucially we're still committed to being part of the wider UK family.

"It's big news for Scottish Labour."

She also insisted the lack of progress over shadow cabinet elections was a good thing, adding: "When it comes to things like shadow cabinet, I think this is good news - because there is a strong sense around the NEC and a desire for party unity, to get on the front foot going into Liverpool this weekend.

"The key players in this are going to take some time out over the next few days, they're going to work out what they think is the best solution."