Surreal scenes as the counting process in Watford approaches farce status. Bemused onlookers have just been shown a bar graph, free of any numbers, showing a clear lead for Conservative candidate Richard Harrington.

That, however, relates to only four of six counting tables and gives no idea of the votes allocated to each candidate.

We’re now waiting for the final two before debate about a potential recounts begin. Nobody seems quite sure why this information has been made available and the mood inside the Colosseum is turning a little sour.

The Watford Observer has heard much talk of a root and branch investigation into what, if anything, has gone wrong.

Needless to say, the result, when it finally comes, will come as little surprise to anybody. If that wasn’t bad enough, council workers are now arriving to find they have nowhere to park.