LINES of trellis tables filled the sports hall at Oasis leisure centre for the election count.
Each line of tables is divided up into two or three wards with counters for each patiently unfolding every ballot paper.
As the counters sit leafing through the ballot papers, each party had members hovering over them to check the numbers tallied up.
And if there are any errors and the numbers do not add up, they immediately order a recount.
The ballot papers are counted once at the polling station and once again when they reach the counting hall, to ensure none are lost in transit.
They are then divided up into wads of 25 papers ready to be divided up into votes for each candidate.
The total number for each ward must then be checked by the 'table superviser' whose takes responsibility for one line of tables, a process known as verification.
This verification process can take hours and only when it is over can the real process of counting the votes begin.
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