Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe successor to Andy Burnham as Greater Manchester mayor is expected to be announced on Friday, marking the new prime minister's first electoral test. Vote counting for Thursday's by-election began at 9.30am, with the final result anticipated no earlier than Friday afternoon. The contest was triggered after Andy Burnham was elected as the MP for Makerfield and subsequently became the leader of the Labour Party. Labour candidate Bev Craig, currently the leader of Manchester City Council and an ally of Mr Burnham, is widely predicted to win comfortably. Reform UK's Sian Astley and the Green Party's Geraldine Coggins are expected to compete for second place in the election. In fullGreater Manchester mayoral election live: Count begins as Andy Burnham faces first big test against ReformMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in