WELSH secretary Peter Hain has admitted his party are facing a hard fight in seats which have traditionally been Labour heartlands.

Speaking as his party launched its campaign to retain the three Swansea seats yesterday, the Neath MP warned that voters risked a return to the hard times of the 1980s and 1990s by voting for anyone other than Labour.

He also admitted that, for the first time in many years, Labour were not favourites to return to Downing Street.

Mr Hain said: "We are fighting a tougher election in Swansea and Gower than we have for a generation.

"The Tories are very strong. We are the underdogs."

Mr Hain added that voters in the seats Labour was facing a serious battle in could determine whether David Cameron formed the next government, by voting Conservative or Liberal Democrat.

He said: "That would let the Tories in through the front door in Gower, or by the back door by voting Lib Dem in Swansea West.

"Where people have a choice between the Lib Dems and Labour in Swansea West, a Labour MP in Geraint Davies will help ensure the Tories can't form a government at Westminster." While Gower MP Martin Caton and Swansea East MP Sian James were in Westminster yesterday on a three-line whip, Mr Davies joined supporters in Castle Square.

The former Croydon MP also launched a campaign to get more funding into education in Swansea.

He criticised the council's education budget.

He said: "A petition is being launched called Save Our Schools. It is supporting a Labour pledge to pass money on to schools.

"People need all the support they can get."

Mr Davies added that the election was "about the real, hard choice that faces people. Whether they want Labour to continue with growth, jobs and reducing the deficit over time, or the short, sharp shock of a Tory government".