The Republican Party has retained its majority in the US House of Representatives, projections suggest, the BBC reports.

The TV networks ABC and NBC both projected a Republican majority in the 435-seat chamber, which the party has controlled since 2010.

Republicans also appeared to be set to keep control of the 100-seat Senate, where 34 seats were being contested.

The Democrats need to gain four seats if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency and five if Donald Trump wins.

That is because the vice-president is automatically a member of the Senate.