Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has called for Labour to put itself on an "election footing" after it came fourth at the Ceredigion by-election.

The poll saw Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas easily defend his party's west Wales seat.

Labour's poor result was attributed to widespread dissatisfaction with the government from the farming community and a feeling that Labour is focusing on middle England.

In a speech to Labour's local government conference in Blackpool, Mr Prescott went on the offensive, saying: "We have to put ourselves on an election footing.

We stand on our record, our values, our beliefs and our commitment."

He rejected claims that the party did not care about its heartlands.

"It is vital for us to keep faith with our own party membership and with the people who voted with us," he told the conference.

"We are governing for the whole of the United Kingdom, town and country, north, south, east and west." he said.

"Disunity damages"

Mr Prescott warned the delegates against letting the party split into different factions over any issue.

"Surely after all these years we have learned disunity damages. That is why we have to stand together - ministers and MPs, councillors and, yes, even mayoral candidates."

Mr Prescott also claimed that a government headed by William Hague would be "the most extreme ever elected in this country".

Speaking of the government's determination to repeal Section 28, which bans the promoting of homosexuality in schools, Mr Prescott said: "I cannot understand how you can help young people by keeping them in ignorance.

"We have said we will repeal Section 28 and we will repeal it whether the Lords do or not.

"We will do it because it is about social justice and human dignity."

Local elections are due to take place in 90 days and Mr Prescott told the conference the party had to prepare itself.