The Labour Party has gained ground on the Conservatives, two opinion polls showed on Thursday, contrasting with a third poll that suggested the Conservative Party has extended its lead.

The Populus poll in the Times newspaper and the Sun's daily YouGov poll both showed the gap narrowing to 7 and 5 points respectively, which would result in a "hung parliament" where no single party has an overall parliamentary majority.

But a survey by Canadian pollster Angus Reid, which has consistently given the Conservatives a wider lead, put that party 11 points ahead, suggesting the Conservatives would be able to form the next government with either a small majority or with the support of a minority party.