EVEN after a busy day at the polling stations and 11th-hour campaigning by candidates across Sedgefield, no one could predict the outcome.

Even Labour insiders were admitting they faced their strongest fight for seats in a local election for years.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson said: "I think it will be close in some areas. I know Labour candidates have worked very hard, but we are halfway through a third term in parliament and we have never been there before.

"There is still a lot of support for Labour across Sedgefield. We just hope they turn out to vote for us."

Ben Ord, leader of the Sedgefield Lib Dems and a candidate in Spennymoor, was predicting a good election night for the party.

He felt Labour would struggle to gain an overall majority on the new unitary council and was optimistic about Lib Dem support in the borough.

As votes were being cast, he said: "I think Labour will be hit in the local elections by national issues. People are talking about the 10p tax rate row."

Job losses in parts of Sedgefield, including from the Black and Decker and Electrolux plants at Spennymoor, were also said to be inspiring the electorate to vote for change.

Independent candidates in Newton Aycliffe and Ferryhill were also expected to give Labour stalwarts a tough contest.

In Aycliffe North, independents Paul Gittins, Terry Hogan and Brian Haigh all pushed Labour out of Sedgefield Borough Council in May last year because of disquiet over a lack of progress with the long-awaited town centre regeneration.

An announcement is expected about the plans next Friday.

If the British National Party, which is contesting most wards in Sedgefield, wins any seats, it is most likely to be in Chilton, where they have run a high-profile campaign in the final days.