Gravesham council will be one to watch in the elections, according to political pundits.

KM Group’s political editor Paul Francis says the council, along with Thanet and Dover, have been named as the three which could turn red in the May 5 local elections.

Campaigning has now begun in earnest, with an early focus by Labour on Painters Ash Ward in Gravesham.

It saw Conservative gains in 2007, but Labour won a seat back in a by-election in 2009.

The party sent shadow universities and skills minister Gareth Thomas to the ward, a day after the University of Kent announced it was setting the maximum of £9,000 top-up fees.

Dartford council has several candidates backed by the Swanscombe and Greenhithe residents’ association and an 18-year-old school girl, Sanya Thandi - one of the youngest candidates to stand for UKIP- is hoping to represent Longfield, New Barn and Southfleet ward.

See the nominations at www.gravesham.gov.uk, www.dartford.gov.uk and www.sevenoaks.gov.uk