DARLINGTON'S political parties are gearing up for battle in this year's borough council elections.

Voters go to the polls in May, and a number of recruits have signed up to fight it out for Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.

Yesterday, the Labour Party announced the names of 36 contenders for seats on Darlington Borough Council.

The youngest hopeful is 26-year-old businessman Daniel Taylor, who is running for election in the Cockerton East ward.

He said: "Getting into politics is something I've always wanted to do.

"People say that young people are apathetic about politics, but I don't see that.

"Not a lot of councillors look like me, so hopefully I offer something different."

Labour leader Councillor John Williams said: "It is heartening that Labour has been able to draw upon so many people who are active and well-known in their communities to stand for the party in May.

"They will be first-class standard bearers in what will be a crucial election for the town."

Mike Barker, secretary of Darlington Lib Dems, said party members were confident their new candidates could give Labour and Tory big guns a run for their money.

"We are the smallest of the local parties, but we already have candidates lined up for the elections and more will be appointed," he said.

"The majority of our candidates work full-time and are active in the local community.

"We have selected people who believe in what we believe in, rather than simply bringing people in to put a name on a ballot paper."

Councillor Tony Richmond, leader of Darlington Conservatives, said: "We will be fighting to wrestle back control of the council and will be fielding candidates in every ward in the borough.

"We have got lots of candidates already, and they're working very hard in their respective wards.

"The age profile of our candidates represents society as a whole. In our opinion, we will provide a much better administration than the current Labour administration."

The elections will be held on Thursday, May 3.