FIFE Labour kicked off its local election campaign on Thursday when candidates from across the Kingdom came together to celebrate Labour’s achievements over the past five years and to discuss their vision for the coming five year term.

With only a few candidates still to be selected, the Fife Labour team chosen to contest May’s council elections includes a mix of existing councillors and new faces, who are already out on the doorsteps talking to local voters about the issues that matter to them.

Council wards in Central Fife have undergone a shake up due to boundary changes with the Lochs ward seat disappearing.

In the new Cowdenbeath seat, which also covers Kelty, Kingseat and Crossgates, sitting councillors Alex Campbell and Gary Guichan will be seeking re-election.

In the reorganised Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden seat, the current councillors Linda Erskine and Mary Lockhart will also be standing again.

The group paid tribute to those councillors who have chosen not to stand again this time, including Mark Hood and Peter Lockhart. The SNP's Ian Chisholm is also not standing.

Fife Labour will be fighting the election on its record, highlighting achievements such as delivering its commitment to build 2,700 new affordable homes across Fife – the largest social housing programme across the UK.

Leader David Ross said: "Fife Labour has also delivered on its commitment to focus on skills and training, with record numbers of apprenticeships supported in the Council and through local businesses. And strong links are being developed between schools and local businesses, giving Fife’s young people a better insight into the world of work and improving their prospects for the future.

"Building on this strong record of achievement, and despite the cuts being imposed on local government by the SNP Government, Fife Labour will be setting out its vision for the next 5 years and its commitment to defend and improve local services over the coming weeks".