DARLINGTON’S Labour group welcomed a special guest to the launch of its local election campaign.

Andrew Gwynne, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, joined party members for the official campaign launch at the Harrowgate Hill Club on Saturday.

Mr Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish in Greater Manchester, spoke to members about the achievements made by the Labour Party during its times in power throughout history.

With local elections due to take place on May 2, Labour has already chosen 35 candidates and will be fielding representatives for all 50 seats in the Darlington council ward.

Council leader Stephen Harker said that full details of their election pledges would be revealed when the party publishes its manifesto, likely to be in the next week.

He said the party wanted to rejuvenate the town centre and bring jobs to the area.