DAVID Cameron has told Lancashire’s Labour leaders: we want to take over your county.

Lancashire is the last Labour-controlled council in the county after the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties made a series of gains over the past few years.

And today the Tory leader took his shadow cabinet to County Hall to boost the campaign ahead of June’s local election showdown.

But the Labour county council leader branded the move a “publicity-seeking gimmick”.

Speaking as he arrived at the council’s Preston headquarters, Mr Cameron said: “Lancashire is a big priority. I always believe in being frank about these things.

“I want us to win Lancashire County Council. This is a key battleground, and people have a choice to vote for change next year.”

He added: “You can’t win a general election without winning the North West.”

Alongside Tory group leader Geoff Driver, Mr Cameron unveiled plans to freeze County Hall’s share of the council tax bill if they seize control in June.

Coun Driver said he would pay for the move by cutting £8million from the budget set aside to pay for the upcoming staff wage review, and reducing the number of editions of the council’s magazine.

Speaking after meeting Mr Cameron, he added: “This is a good day for Lancashire. Bringing the whole shadow cabinet shows they mean business.”

Labour, which has been in control for 20 years, currently holds 43 county council seats to the Conservatives’ 33, and the Tories need only a five per cent swing on June 4 to take over.

But council leader Hazel Harding dismissed the importance of Mr Cameron’s visit.

She added: “We are working very hard, and we always welcome visitors.

"I hope he learned something by coming to the North. He doesn’t get up here very often.”