THE number of people contesting the Hartlepool by-election has risen to ten after the announcement of two more candidates.

Ed Abrams, 34, from Cheshire, will represent the English Democrats Party, and Alan Howling Laud Hope, 62, from Hampshire, will represent the Monster Raving Loony Party.

Father-of-three Mr Abrams, who works in the information technology industry, was a candidate for the English Democrats at the June Euro elections in the North-West.

Pub landlord Mr Hope, who is his party's leader, was elected as a councillor in Devon and went on to become mayor.

The other candidates are: Jody Dunn (Liberal Democrat), Iain Wright (Labour); John Bloom (Respect), Chris Herriot (Socialist Labour); Stephen Allison (UK Independence Party), the Reverend Richard Rogers (Common Good Party), Jim Starkey (National Front), and Jeremy Middleton (Conservatives).

The by-election, prompted by Peter Mandelson's departure to Brussels, is likely to be on October 7.

Mr Mandelson, who first fought the seat in 1992, held on to it in 2001.

Meanwhile, Conservative candidate Mr Middleton last night put crime at the top of the agenda for the by-election, and said: "Hartlepool can learn from Ray Mallon."

Responding to concerns he has heard from voters, Mr Middleton said the zero-tolerance policing introduced by the mayor of Middlesbrough and former head of Hartlepool CID should be copied.

He said: "I believe this is a great chance for people round here to let politicians know about the real things that matter in their lives.

"In Hartlepool, violent crime has risen by 225 per cent in five years, drug addiction is twice the national average and detection rate for muggings has plummeted.

"Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon is taking the right approach and I would like to see similar tactics used here in Hartlepool."