THE Labour Party in East Cleveland has played what it believes to be one of its strongest cards in the run up to elections.

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said latest tables showed the authority had improved from having the second highest council tax in the UK to 136th highest.

He credited the improvement to 'political direction of the council's Labour Group' and mocked opposition parties for failing to construct a 'meaningful alternative budget'.

However, leaders of the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and East Cleveland Independent parties hit back. They pointed out it was up to the Labour party to produce a budget and that the council had benefited from an unexpected Government windfall.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Chris Abbott, said his party actually did come up with a fully costed alternative budget, which would reduce the council spend by £899,580 largely through administration cut backs.

Vera Moody, leader of the second largest group the Conservatives, said the improved position was due to Government windfall, not good management.

Steve Kay, leader of the Independents, said: "The council tax is still astronomical."

The all-postal election will be held on May 1.