Doncaster, founded by the Romans as a fort by the River Don, is the second largest conurbation in South Yorkshire and is one of the oldest towns in England. A fashionable market town and major coaching centre in the 18th and 19th century, many of Doncaster's buildings still show evidence of that era. Particularly impressive is the Mansion House, designed by James Paine and completed in 1748 one of only three civic mansion houses in England.

 
The industrial revolution brought the Railway and The Carriage Building Works to Doncaster, where the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard were built. Mining and Heavy Industry were the basis of Doncaster's industry, sited in the centre of the largest and richest coalfield in Britain. More recently the focus has shifted to the leisure and service industries.

Ideally situated with excellent transport links, including the international airport, Doncaster is now looking forward, with many new and exciting developments including the Frenchgate Interchange, Education City and Performance Venue. The new Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield International Airport has got off to a flying start. A staggering 840,000 people passed through the airport in its first year to countries within Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The airport and business park will create 7,000 jobs for people in the area, and is part of a plan to regenerate Doncaster making it a better place to live and work.

Sport in Doncaster
Horse breeding for the stagecoach trade led to Doncaster's world famous racecourse, which has been a major venue for racing since 1600 and hosts the oldest great English classic horse race, The St Leger.

The town’s football team, Doncaster Rovers, is currently ranked in the top 10 of League One. The team and its supporters are excited by the construction of the new stadium which is due to be completed in December 2006.

Education
This constituency is covered by Doncaster Local Education Authority. In this Authority there are 140 more teachers than in 1997.

Improving health care
Since 1997 waiting lists are down, investment is up, and there are 2,497 more nurses and 819 more doctors caring for patients in South Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority.

Fighting crime
Doncaster Central is within the South Yorkshire police force area. Since 1997 there are 147 more police officers fighting crime in this force.

Getting people into work
Unemployment is down by 45 per cent in Doncaster Central between April 1997 and April 2006.

3,520 people have got jobs thanks to Labour's New Deal in Doncaster Central since 1997.

In 1997 there was no child care guarantee for parents. Now 6,010 three and four year olds have taken up one of the free part-time nursery education places available in Doncaster Local Education Authority.

Helping Pensioners
At the end of February 2006, 5,270 pensioner households in Doncaster Central were benefiting form Pension Credit average with a local average award of £38.25 per week.