A key decision about who will lead Cumbria County Council could be made today.

Intensive talks between the political parties have been underway all week to see if a deal can be struck.

It comes after no party managed to secure an overall majority in last month's local elections.

A coalition must now be formed, with the Liberal Democrats appearing to hold the key to any deal.

The Conservatives won the most seats but are still six short of the 43 needed to take control of the council, while Labour won 26.

With 16 seats, the Lib Dems could potentially join with the Tories in coalition.

But if they wish to side with Labour, they would need to get at least one of the five independent councillors to join them.

No deal was struck ahead of last month's full council meeting, and it was agreed to postpone a decision until after the General Election.

With that now over, the three parties began dialogue in earnest on Monday, with meetings taking place every day this week.

The aim is to reach a detailed agreement ahead of the next full council meeting in two weeks time.

It is understood that the Liberal Democrats are holding a group meeting this morning to determine which party to side with.

Labour group leader Stewart Young said he hoped a deal would be reached by the end of today.

"Whatever the outcome, there is going to be detailed work needed next week in time for the council meeting on June 29.

"It wouldn't be good if we failed to get a resolution. But there has been a lot of activity this week," he said.

Conservative group leader James Airey - who stood in the General Election against Lib Dem Tim Farron in Westmorland and Lonsdale, missing out by 777 votes - strongly believes that the successful coalition must include his party, as they secured 44 per cent of the vote.

Ian Stewart, Lib Dem group leader, has so far remained tight-lipped about which side his party would favour, however he was also hopeful there would be "some clarity" about a deal by the end of the week.

Speaking yesterday ahead of talks, Mr Young said it was impossible to speculate about the final administration at this stage.

He said the local picture was "uncannily" similar to the national situation, with no party securing a majority at the General Election.

However he added: "One of the differences between local and national government is that we are not allowed to call another election, even if we were at a total stalemate."