MORE than 65,000 people in Hartlepool were given the chance to go to the polls and help shape the town's future.

Fifteen council seats were up for grabs yesterday. Eight were held by Labour, three by the Lib Dems, one by the Tories and three by independents.

All but two wards, Elwick and Greatham, were contested.

There were 15 Labour Party candidates in the vote, along with 11 Tories, eight Lib Dems, seven UK Independence Party and two British National Party candidates.

Peter Devlin, Hartlepool Borough Council's returning officer, said: "This is an opportunity for local people to influence what happens in their town and, as a council, we have always encouraged residents to make sure they are on the register and vote in elections."

Lib Dem leader Arthur Preece, Tory leader George Morris and UKIP leader Eric Wilson were all fighting for seats.

Key issues, including the fight to stop Post Offices closing and the battle over the town's hospital services, were expected to play an important role in the battle for seats.

Mayor Stuart Drummond's seat was not up for election this time.