Maps, blogging software and live video streaming will all be brought into play as the cross-title digital team works right through election night.

Reporters stationed at each of the ten count sites will feed into a live online blog from 10pm, providing updates, breaking news and results.

Back at HQ, an online interactive map of Merseyside and Cheshire will be used to illustrate how each area votes and which party has won where.

Video journalists will be also record material using mobile phone technology at three of the counts and film packages will be produced by the papers' TV unit.

Liverpool Echo editor Alastair Machray said: "This year's elections are going to be particularly interesting in several of our boroughs, not least Liverpool, where Labour fancy their chances of taking control.

"In Knowsley, we will have the first test of public opinion on Everton's proposed new stadium, with several anti-stadium candidates standing.

"Harnessing the new technology on the Post and Echo sites will enable us to bring the most comprehensive coverage of local elections to readers who now demand nothing less."

Like many other Trinity Mirror titles, the two websites have undergone a major relaunch as the company looks to increase its digital output.