Darlington'S Labour group unveiled its four-year vision for the town yesterday at the launch of its local election campaign.

The party will field a full complement of 53 candidates at next month's election, and they were present at the launch at the town's Forum music centre.

The new candidates include a retired headteacher, customs and excise officer, professional singer, engineering consultant, stage director, two NHS professionals and a journalist.

Those seeking election include a number of married couples, as well as Sue Richmond, the wife of Conservative councillor Tony Richmond, who will seek selection in Cockerton East. Senior councillors who are retiring include Geoff Walker, Stella Robson and Isobel Hartley.

Yesterday's eventwas fronted by council leader John Williams, who will also stand down in May after 20 years at the helm, andMP Jenny Chapman. They and other senior party members said the main message from voters on the doorstep was about the public spending cuts.

Councillor Williams said: "There is a serious point to the date we are launching. As many of you will know, April 1 is the beginning of the financial year.

"The coalition cuts - that were agreed last year and we had to agree as a Labour group on the council - start becoming reality on this day."

Both Coun Williams and Mrs Chapman reaffirmed their belief that the coalition cuts were "too deep, too fast" on a number of occasions.

Mrs Chapman added: "The electorate know us very well.

It is a powerful argument we have.We are the only party in Darlington which understands the communities and local people."

The party's two-page manifesto focuses on protecting the vulnerable, the town's economy and working for an "open, better, fairer Darlington".

Coun Williams, whose successor as leader will be decided after the election, said the Labour group would seek to work with the new Hitachi factory at Aycliffe, town businesses including Cummins, and business parks at Lingfield Point and Central Park to maintain the town's economy.

Mrs Chapman added: "We understand those challenges.

We must face the future with confidence without losing our ambition for Darlington."

Labour's candidates are: Veronica Copeland, Chris Taylor (Bank Top); Jan Taylor, Malcolm Wright (Central); Paul Baldwin, Sue Richmond, Bryan Thistlethwaite (Cockerton East); Jan Cossins, David Regan (Cockerton West); Elaine Hope, Martin Wood (College); Bill Dixon, Roddy Francis, Lee Vasey (Eastbourne); Rosie Dixon (Faverdale); Mark Burton, Marjory Knowles, John Vasey (Harrowgate Hill); Martin Landers, Chris McEwan (Haughton East); Bev Hutchinson, Tom Nutt (Haughton North), David Lyonette, Andrew Scott, Nick Wallis (Haughton West); Christopher Kelsey, Martin McTague (Heighington and Coniscliffe); Rebecca Taylor, Amanda McEwan (Hummersknott); James Garner, Esther Taylor (Hurworth); Jackie Maddison, Wendy Newall (Lascelles); Ian Haszeldine, Lynne Haszeldine (Lingfield); Elizabeth Muggleton, Philip Crumbie (Middleton St George); Jackie Saint, Robert Watson (Mowden); Michael Nicholson, Jonnie Vasey, Mark Wilkes (North Road); Eleanor Lister, Dorothy Long (Northgate); Paul Harman, Cyndi Hughes, Joe Lyonette (Park East); Jack Madden, James Doran (Park West); Bob Carson, Steve Harker, Linda Hughes (Pierremont); Sandy Thorne-Wallis (Sadberge).