Hazel Blears MP, Labour's Local Elections co-ordinator, announcing that the party will be fielding more candidates across England and Wales in the forthcoming local election than the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, said:

"These figures show that, despite his warm words, David Cameron isn't serious about building a coalition of support beyond his political comfort zone.

"Across England and Wales there are more Labour candidates than those of any other political party. It is a fantastic reflection on our hard-working activists all over the country that more people will be given the opportunity to vote Labour than Tory or Lib Dem.

"It is clear from these figures that there remain large parts of Wales and the North of England where the Conservatives still have little or no organisation and no support whatsoever.

"If David Cameron was serious about having no 'no-go' areas, he would not just be looking for a few totem gains but seeking real and widespread progress in all parts of Britain.

"As polling day approaches, Labour will be out in communities up and down the country showing those voters that we are on their side."