GORDON Brown has this morning confirmed the General Election will be held on Thursday, May 6.

Flanked by his Cabinet ministers in Downing Street, the Prime Minister said the date the country will go to the polls was "the least well-kept secret of recent years".

He said he came from an "ordinary" background and would fight hard for families on "modest incomes".

Mr Brown also said he would not allow 13 years of investment in public services to be put at risk and vowed to improve public trust in politics following the expenses scandal.

Conservative leader David Cameron said his party had "big ideas" for the country, while Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said only his party offered "real change".

The economy, taxation and public services are expected to be key battlegrounds in the election campaign, which will also feature live television debates between the three main party leaders for the first time.

The election will also see a shake-up of North and East Yorkshire's political picture, with York being split into two seats - York Central and York Outer - and the new Selby and Ainsty and Thirsk and Malton seats also being created.