Pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong have scored a huge victory in district council elections, winning nearly 90% of the seats.

They won around 390 of 452 seats, according to local broadcaster RTHK, up from around 100 four years ago.

A record 1,104 candidates stood in the poll and the turnout was a record 71% - equating to almost three million people. Last time it was 47%.

One seat was still to declare because of a request for a re-count.

The elections took on new significance because of months of clashes between Hong Kong authorities and protesters who say the Chinese government is eroding the territory's freedoms.

The councils have little power - but the vote was seen by many as a gauge of public opinion on the protests.

Among the winning candidates were rally organiser Jimmy Sham, who was beaten by people with hammers last month, and a candidate who had part of his ear bitten off by an attacker.

One of those to lose his seat was pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho, who was stabbed with a knife while campaigning this month.

Starry Lee (centre) chairperson of pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) and her candidates attend a press conference following their defeat in the local district council election in Hong Kong | Image: Kin Cheung/AP/Press Association Images

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam said the government respected the outcome and "will listen to the opinions of members of the public humbly and seriously reflect".

She said she hoped the "peaceful, safe and orderly situation" in which the elections took place would continue.

Winning candidates said she must now meet their demands, such as free elections for the city's leader and legislature, and a probe into claims of police brutality.

"We won a small battle today but it shows that Hong Kong people have a chance to win the war. We will fight on," said one winner, Henry Sin Ho-fai.

The council election is the only fully democratic one in Hong Kong.

The voting passed off peacefully, with long queues to vote and hardly anyone wearing the masks associated with the protesters.

The candidates for next year's legislative council elections are drawn from the elected councillors.

Petrol bombs and tear gas have become regular sights on Hong Kong's streets over the last six months as protesters battle police.

The region's Polytechnic University was the most recent flashpoint, with protesters trapped inside as police blocked the exits.

The unrest started over opposition to a law - which was eventually scrapped - that would have allowed people to be extradited to mainland China, but expanded to cover a general call for greater democracy.

Main image: Election winner candidate Kelvin Lam (centre) and pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong greet people for their support, outside South Horizons Station in Hong Kong | Image: Vincent Yu/AP/Press Association Images