Bernie Sanders has won the Nevada caucuses by a large margin, making him the clear frontrunner to become the Democratic nominee to take on Donald Trump at November’s US presidential election.

After strong performances in the largely white electorates of Iowa and New Hampshire, Mr Sanders extended his support in more diverse Nevada; he won over Hispanic voters, first-time caucus-goers, moderates as well as liberals, men and women, and those with and without college degrees.

By midday Sunday, with about 40 per cent of the precincts yet to report, Mr Sanders had won 46 per cent of awarded delegates. Former vice-president Joe Biden was a distant second, but posted the strongest performance of his campaign so far, winning over 19 per cent of delegates. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, had 15 per cent, having built on strong support in rural areas of the state.