VOTERS go to the polls in local government elections across the country today - with Labour steadying itself for significant losses.

Council elections are taking place throughout England and Wales, with national attention focused on the mayoral election in London, where Conservative Boris Johnson is looking to unseat Labour's Ken Livingstone.

But in the North-East, most eyes will be on the historic election taking place in County Durham, where voters will be choosing 126 councillors who will ultimately become the first members of the county's powerful new unitary authority when it comes into being in April next year.

Labour is defending a commanding majority on the existing Durham County Council, where it holds 53 seats, with the Lib Dems on five, independents on three and Conservatives on two.

Today's election will see two councillors elected in each of the 63 divisions, which will be contested by a record 400 candidates, including 30 members of the British National Party.

All the main opposition parties are predicting they will make gains, while Labour Party insiders admit that the result of the election in County Durham may prove to be significantly closer than had been expected at the start of the campaign - when private polling predicted the party was on course to win about 75 seats.

Turnout may yet be a decisive factor, with the number of votes cast likely to be dramatically down on the three previous county polls, which coincided with general elections.

The 2005 election produced a turnout of 56 per cent in County Durham, compared to 33 per cent in 1993 - the last time there was a "stand alone" election for the county council.

Elsewhere in the region, voters in Northumberland will be electing 67 councillors who will be the first members of the county's own new unitary authority.

In Hartlepool, where Labour remains the biggest party on a finely balanced council, there are 15 seats are up for grabs, while in Harrogate 20 seats are being contested.

One third of seats are also up for election on the Tyne and Wear authorities, including 28 seats on Lib Dem-controlled Newcastle City Council, 25 on Labour-controlled Sunderland Council and 23 on Labour-controlled Gateshead.