Capital surge: Tories looking for gains in the election

London voters are heading to the polls on May 5 for an election which could see several seats change hands.

The Conservative Party has mounted a poster assault in the capital - where issues such as crime and immigration are more visible than in many parts of the country.

The Tories' one-time strength in London has been reversed by Labour's rise in seats such as Croydon South, Finchley and Golders Green, and the Lib Dems' surge in west London constituencies such as Kingston and Surbiton.

The Conservative Party is hoping it can claw back several seats in London, with Bexleyheath and Crayford, Hornchurch, and the west London constituency of Hammersmith and Fulham, topping the target list.

To signal a return to government, the Tories also need to make sizeable gains, bringing back seats such as Enfield Southgate - where Michael Portillo lost out to Stephen Twigg in the 1997 election.

Harrow West and Wimbledon are also key targets which Michael Howard needs to see turning blue if he has any chance of making it to Downing Street.

But the party could also lose seats in London and the South East.

The Liberal Democrats have the Conservative seat of Orpington in their sights.

London Lib Dems will also be fighting a highly visible campaign in Brent East, where Sarah Teather has a majority of 1,118 in the seat she seized from Labour at the 2003 by-election.

Beyond Brent East, Labour is unlikely to make further gains in the capital, having seized Tory territories in the 1992, 1997 and 2001 general elections.