A VAUXHALL Corsa makes a fairly modest election "battle bus" but it could still prove to be the key weapon in the fight to win votes for an elected mayor for Darlington.

Yesterday, the unassuming supermini cruised the streets; a man with a megaphone urging people to vote "Yes" and sweep aside 140 years of tradition in favour of an elected mayor.

The results from more than 50 polling stations will be known later today - and yesterday there was genuine bewilderment about which way the poll will go.

Businessman Harvey Smith, of the "Yes" campaign, said: "We have been very well received with lots of people giving us the thumbs up, flashing their lights and tooting their horns."

So, is the town poised to following in the footsteps of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool and end the existing system where a leader elected by councillors is in charge of the cabinet?

The "No" campaigners were less visible, but no less busy, using telephone canvassers to secure support.

"No" spokesman Alan Charlton said: "As Ray Mallon said at the mayoral debate, a badly chosen elected mayor could bring a town to its knees. We are just hoping what we have done has been enough."

And judging by reaction from the ballot boxes yesterday, the referendum is likely to be a close contest.

After casting his vote at Darlington Arts Centre yesterday, Lakhindar Singh, 74, said: "I'm not in favour of an elected mayor. I've lived in Darlington since the Seventies and, in my opinion, the system has been brilliant.

"I have disagreed with the council over the years and it has always given a very satisfactory outcome."

But Richard Lanson, 37, said he would like to see an elected mayor for Darlington. "It is a good idea," he said. "It just seems better. It is more democratic."

And even up until 4pm yesterday, some voters were still undecided.

Nicola Woolley, 35, said: "Yes, I am going to vote, but I've not made up my mind yet."

With floating voters around so late in the day, it seems the contest will not be over until the last vote is counted.