Trump and Clinton score important victories in New York primaries

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Republican and Democratic party frontrunners for US presidential nominations, have edged closer towards securing their nominations after winning their respective primaries in New York.

With the majority of votes counted, Trump looks set to extend his lead over rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich.

Meanwhile Democratic hopeful Clinton, a former senator for New York, is on course for a victory over Brooklyn-born Bernie Sanders.

Wins will put Clinton and Trump closer to securing their nominations.

With more than 98% of the results in, Trump is leading with just over 60% of the vote while Clinton has just under 58%.

The victories for Trump and Clinton, in one of the biggest state nominating contests so far, set both up for strong performances next Tuesday, when they are expected to do well in five other Northeastern state primaries.

Trump won in the state where he was born and where the flamboyant mogul built much of his property and entertainment empire. With 90 percent of votes counted, he had 60 per cent.

"We are really, really rocking, and we expect we are going to have an amazing number of weeks," the candidate, flanked by his family, told supporters at his opulent Trump Tower building, announcing imminent travel to some of the five states holding primaries on April 26.