NINE Labour councillors will be replaced by new candidates in the May council election in Darlington, it was revealed last night.

Two of the councillors - former mayor Pat Buttle (Park East ward) and Alwynne Smith (Eastbourne North) - were not selected by their ward parties to stand.

The other seven - Margaret Thomas (Northgate North), Kim Baldwin (Cockerton East), George Cree (Harrowgate Hill), David Buckle (Pierremont), Vin Bloxsome (Lascelles) and former mayors Hannah Straiton (Park East) and Gordon Plummer (Lascelles) - have all chosen to step down.

Conservative councillor for Hummersknott, Alan Marshall, is also retiring.

Between them, the members have served more than 100 years on the authority.

Darlington Labour Party election agent Coun Stephen Harker said: "New councillors are important to local democracy as they bring a fresh perspective."

Coun Nick Wallis, secretary of Darlington Labour Party, said: "This year was a very competitive year in terms of candidates coming forward. A couple of people were not selected and other people have retired or stood down, in some cases because of ill health."

The Labour Party will field candidates in all 53 wards in the town, as will the Conservative Party. The Liberal Democrats would not disclose in which wards they were standing.

The new Labour candidates include Emma Vasey-Smith, 23, who will stand in Harrowgate Hill.

She said: "Young people often feel that their views are not heard or understood. If elected, one of my aims would be to ensure that their opinions are listened to."

If successful, it is believed she will be the town's youngest ever councillor.

Park East ward will see three new Labour candidates: Joe Lyonette, Cyndi Beaver-Hughes and Glen Reynolds.

Ward boundary changes will mean many residents vote in a different ward. John Flook, an NHS finance director, will stand in the new Faverdale ward in the north of the town.

Councillor John Williams, Labour leader of Darlington council, said: "I am delighted by Labour's new team for May's poll. If elected, the borough as a whole will benefit from the influx of a number of new councillors."