ON THE day Mr Tony Blair confirmed the General Election will be on June 7, two Cleveland councillors switched to Labour.

In Loftus, Coun Barry Hunt, a town councillor representing Skinningrove, joined Labour from the East Cleveland Independents.

Coun Hunt played a leading role as a community representative in the fight to help Skinningrove recover from last year's devastating floods.

Coun David Walsh, Redcar and Cleveland council leader and a Loftus ward member, said: "Barry has joined us with the support of all Labour's members. He has played a key role in representing Skinningrove and its people and I know he will be an effective voice for Labour in the village."

Coun Hunt said: "I have joined Labour because I believe it is the only party which can deliver the social and economic improvements Skinningrove, and indeed all East Cleveland, deserves.

"This cannot be done by small and inward-looking independent groups."

In Middlesbrough, Liberal Democrat Coun Yvonne Ellis, who has represented the Stainton and Thornton ward since 1999, also decided to join the Labour party.

Council and Labour group leader Coun Ken Walker said: "She is committed to helping the less advantaged people in society and I am pleased she feels she can do mote to help as a Labour member and councillor."