The SNP have gained in the latest council contests with less than six weeks to the general election.

The nationalists' Craig Walker scored a landslide victory at Glenrothes and Kinglassie, Fife Council.

This is significant as Labour won a parliamentary by-election in the parent constituency in 2008.

Then prime minister Gordon Brown campaigned in that poll which marked a swing back to Labour after mid- term setbacks at Dunfermline and Glasgow East - but not this time.

Meanwhile, Tory Tony Bennett made a shock gain from the Llantwit First group at Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, which is in a marginal parliamentary constituency. This comes after a swing to Conservatives at Denbighshire, North Wales, last week.

There is evidence from this month's by-elections of regional trends that could hamper pre-May 7 calculations.

The Conservative performance in Wales contrasts with a strong Labour showing in three London contests on March 5.

There will be further evidence from Scotland later as counting is under way in three more by-elections.

Results

- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) - Beinn na Foghla agus Uibhist a Tuath: Counting today. (May 2012 - Three seats Ind 316, 212, Lab 204, SNP 177, Ind 93, 75. Elected: Ind 2,Lab 1).

- Fife Council - Glenrothes Westand Kinglassie: SNP 2539, Lab 1643, C 202, Ukip 146, Lib Dem 61. (May 2012 - Four seats Lab 1424, SNP 941, 910, Lab 708, SNP 349, All Scotland Pensioners Party 271, Ind 192, C 155, Lib Dem 83. Elected: SNP 2, Lab 2). SNP gain from Lab. Swing 9.1% Lab to SNP.

- Moray Council - Buckie: Counting today. (May 2012 - Three seats SNP 967, Ind 648, 557, C 179, SNP 169. Elected: Ind 2, SNP 1).

- Vale of Glamorgan County - Llantwit Major: C 1016, Llantwit First 1004, Lab 378,Plaid Cymru 95. (May 2012 - Four seats Llantwit First 2068, 1603, 1490, 1327, C813, 759, 544, Lab 541, C 536, Lab 502, 471, 411, Plaid Cymru 269). C gain from Llantwit First. Swing 9.7% Lab to C.

- West Lothian Council - Armadale and Blackridge: Counting today. (May 2012 - Three seats Ind 2541, SNP 861, Lab 788, SNP 168, C 125. Elected: Ind 1, SNP 1, Lab 1).