Humber banks become battlefields

Hull City Council presently has no party in overall control

Both banks of the Humber have become key battlegrounds for all three main parties aiming to take control of the area's hung councils.

Last year's elections left Hull City Council and North East Lincolnshire without a party in overall control.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has the Conservatives as the biggest party, but with no one group in control.

Meanwhile, the Tories took control of North Lincolnshire at the 2003 election with a majority of one seat.

Typically seen as a Labour strong-hold, the Liberal Democrats became the largest party on Hull City Council last year.

Seats threatened

They gained four seats to take them up to a total of 26 councillors, compared to Labour's 25.

Liberal Democrat officials have said they believe this year's results could indicate what could happen in the next general election, and whether government ministers Alan Johnson and John Prescott could have their Hull seats threatened.

In 2005, North East Lincolnshire was dubbed the worst performing authority in England by the Audit Commission.

In last year's polls though the authority saw its main party become the Lib Dems after gaining a seat each from the Conservatives and Labour.

The Lib Dems presently lead the Conservatives by 17 seats to 15, with Labour having six.

Proposed shake-up

In February, the Audit Commission praised the authority for its turnaround in the last two years and said it was "improving well".

However, council leaders have still faced recent criticism over their handling of a proposed schools shake-up in the area.

Leaders at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council have already put forward a number of attempts to win votes so far this year, including the return of free school milk for primary pupils.

However, the authority has faced criticism for backing plans for an incinerator on the outskirts of Hull.