• 326 seats needed for majority in 650-seat parliament. Results suggest even Labour and Lib Dems in coalition would be short of required number.
• Conservative leader David Cameron says Labour has lost its mandate to rule. Earlier, a Conservative spokesman said if the exit poll was correct, "it would provide a basis to govern.” • Prime Minister Gordon Brown would try to form coalition with Liberal Democrats in event of hung parliament, Labour party source says, although Brown's spokesman says there is "no settled position" on any coalition talks.
• Lib Dems have failed to capitalize on a surge in opinion poll ratings through the month-long campaign. "We simply haven't achieved what we had hoped," leader Nick Clegg says.
• Labour's Peter Hain, minister for Wales, said he hoped Lib Dems would talk to Brown over possible coalition. "It is a once in a political lifetime opportunity for the Liberal Democrats, I hope they'll take it because our Labour government stands ready to offer it and then to invite support from others in parliament."
• Leaders now huddled with advisers to plot next move.
• UK equity futures and gilt futures tumble.
Green party takes first ever national parliamentary seat.
