The Liberal Democrats will gain more local councils in the elections on May 1, according to a new Populus poll for the Times.

The poll suggests that the prospects for Labour and the Conservatives depend on whether the "Baghdad bounce" in voting intentions persists for the next fortnight.

The survey gives 36 per cent for Labour, 30 per cent for the Tories, 23 per cent for the Lib Dems and 11 per cent for the others.

The Conservatives need 35 per cent of the vote if they achieve private expectations of 200 gains.