AS voting drew to a close last night, it was too close to call across Wear Valley.

One of the youngest candidates in the county, 19-year-old Becky Brunskill, a Tory from Willington, predicted a strong protest vote.

She said: "People are looking for an alternative to Labour and are pleased to have a choice."

In rural Weardale, it was almost impossible to predict a result, with five out of the ten candidates standing as independents in an area where no major party can claim a foothold.

Another concern for voters was a recent asbestos scandal at Wear Valley District Council, where bosses failed to act on warnings about dangerous materials in the boiler room of Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, Bishop Auckland.

Phil Graham, a candidate in Coundon and Labour agent for the Bishop Auckland wards, said the issue had been on voters' minds.

He said: "It is something that people have picked up on. There are people like me who have nothing to do with the problem, but they see it as something which is associated with Labour.

"They have issues with Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling, and they have come up as well.

"A lot of people do not understand that we are having a change of authority and that may keep them at home.

"With the new authority, we have nothing to offer people. We can talk about opportunities, but we haven't a past record to back us up.

"I have been a councillor for 21 years and this is the first time I have been to a count and not felt particularly confident about the result.

"After a fortnight talking to people on the street, I honestly do not know which way it will go."