LABOUR councillors say they would work with other parties if the Conservatives lost overall control of Southend Council.

The Tories majority would be wiped out if they lost four seats in the local elections on May 1.

Ian Gilbert, the party's candidate for the Victoria Ward, said: "We remain hopeful we can hold the two seats we are defending and make one, and possibly two gains in the election, which would almost certainly ensure the Con-servatives lost control of the council.

"In the Labour Party, we're quite prepared to work with any of the groups currently on the council which agree with us on the key issues facing Southend."

Mr Gilbert said in the long term the party wanted to change the focus of the council's operation.

He added: "We want a more realistic approach to regeneration with less grand plans for wholesale rebuilding and more sensible community improvements.

Mr Gilbert said Labour was opposed to the Priory Crescent road widening and would insist on it being scrapped.

The party would also want the decision to build a new swimming pool at Garon Park reversed with either Warriors swim centre staying open or a new pool built within walking distance of Southend High Street.