Who is running in North East local elections?

Local elections for a number of councillors and mayors will take part in some parts of England on Thursday 1 May.

They include three elections in the North East.

North Tyneside will be electing its ceremonial mayor.

And elections will take place for seats on Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council.

Here is a brief rundown of all three elections, and some of the key contenders.

At the previous county election, in 2021, Labour failed to win a majority in the council chamber for the first time in a century, with the council currently run by a coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and independents.

This time out, Labour is fighting back to take control of the council; the Green Party is also hoping to make gains.

But Reform UK is shaking up the race after two visits to County Durham in just one week by its leader Nigel Farage. "County Hall better be ready," local Reform candidate, and former GB News presenter, Darren Grimes has warned.

• Can Reform beat Labour in County Durham's local elections?

Labour's Norma Redfearn is standing down after 12 years as North Tyneside mayor.

Seven candidates have entered the contest to replace her in the ceremonial role, including two independent candidates, a Green candidate and a Reform UK candidate.

Candidates for Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are also in the running.

Whoever wins the election will become the council's main spokesperson, directing the authority and chairing cabinet meetings.

The role is separate from the role of North East Mayor - a post held by Labour's Kim McGuinness, who represents the seven local authorities in the region, including North Tyneside.

• Who is in the running to be North Tyneside mayor?

Northumberland County Council has been run by the Conservatives since 2017

However, previously the council had changed political hands a number of times and it looks set to be closely contested again this time.

Rail and bus services, and how council tax money is spent, are some of the key issues being raised as the prospective candidates campaign for votes.

• Parties lay out Northumberland election pledges

• POSTCODE LOOKUP: Check if there is an election in your area
• SIMPLE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the local elections
• GET IN TOUCH: Tell us the election issues that matter to you
• FULL COVERAGE: Catch up on all our election stories

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