LABOUR and Plaid Cymru say they are 'confident' they will find a way to resolve the first minister deadlock situation next week.

In a joint statement the two parties said they have held a number of meetings today. 

The talks come after the Welsh Assembly failed to appoint a first minister on Wednesday after Plaid Cymru nominated its leader Leanne Wood.

The Conservatives and UKIP voted for Ms Wood while Labour and Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams backed Carwyn Jones.

The joint statement said: "We have had a number of meetings today and they have been extremely useful.

"We are confident that we can find a way forward that will result in the successful nomination of a First Minister next week. We will continue to work over the weekend, and look to resume formal talks on Monday.

"As it is important to take these talks through on a confidential basis, we won’t be making any more comment at this stage."