LIBERAL Democrats say they are hoping to seize on weaknesses in Labour policy and mount a challenge as a more efficient opposition than the Tories.

Outlining his group's pledges to the people of Darlington, local Liberal Democrat chairman Brian Fiske says: "We want to break Labour's stranglehold on the council - we believe that, like many councils with a big majority, they have become complacent.

"Council tax has gone up considerably of late and that is something we would be fighting against.

"We want to get a bit of realism into the town hall because a lot of money is being spent in some areas, while others are being neglected, like housing for elderly people."

He said that Liberal Democrat candidates would also endeavour to make better use of the community wardens, who have the power to issue fines as part of a litter crackdown in the town.

"We don't like what they are doing over litter. We look at some areas, like the Denes, and the streets are still covered with litter, so the litter wardens aren't being too effective."

On the controversial issue of town hall secrecy, he said: "We are fully against the cabinet system and the way it operates. We feel that the Conservatives have not formed an effective opposition.

"We think that ward councillors should be more involved in their own ward issues. At present, those councillors seem to be cut out of a lot of decision-making.