A BOOKMAKER has put Labour's Sue Hayman ever-so-slightly ahead of Conservative counterpart Stephen Crabb for next month's general election.

Prime Minister Tony Blair fired the election starting gun on Tuesday, and bookies Jack Brown has Mrs Hayman at 4-6 to keep the seat for Labour. Mrs Hayman takes over as the Labour candidate following current MP Jackie Lawrence's decision to stand down.

But the bookies believe it will be a very, very close call.

Mr Crabb is at evens to bring Preseli Pembrokeshire under Conservative control.

Further back Plaid Cymru's Matt Mathias is quoted at 33-1 to become MP, while Liberal Democrat candidate Dewi Smith is the 50-1 outsider at the current time.

But Mr Smith could well poll votes because of his stance over LNG. While most politicians have welcomed the developments with open arms, Mr Smith has repeatedly urged caution.

The odds are a graphic illustration that Preseli-Pembrokeshire will be one of the Conservative Party's key targets.

Last time around Mr Crabb slashed Jackie Lawrence's majority by 6000 and he will be looking to go one better in 2005.

In South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West sitting MP Nick Ainger is the strong 1-5 favourite to retain his seat.

The government whip won control of Pembrokeshire for Labour in 1992 and has represented South Pembrokeshire since the boundary reshuffle. Mr Ainger is up against Conservative candidate David Morris and his chances are quoted at about 11-4 by Jack Brown.

Plaid Cymru candidate John Dixon has attracted odds of 25-1 and current Liberal Democrat county councillor John Allen is 50-1 to oust Mr Ainger. It promises to be an exciting few weeks in both constituencies as May 5 approaches.

Stephen Crabb has said: "I believe voters will be looking for an MP who is not just a 'party' man but who will speak up for local public services and who will use their influence to defend Pembrokeshire's interests.

"I am putting myself forward as someone who is passionate about Pembrokeshire and who wants to work in partnership with local Assembly Members and councillors to improve life in our county. I believe all politicians, regardless of party, should adopt a 'team Pembrokeshire' approach if we are to see our county move forward. If elected as MP on May 5 I promise always to put Pembrokeshire first."

Dewi Smith says: "I understand why there has been a drop in interest in politics in recent elections, which is why I'm determined to do all that I can to turn things around, and listening to what you want is where it all starts. "For my part I will always tell you what I think. I'm not afraid to make hard decisions and I want to work for Pembrokeshire in Westminster, not just trot home with messages from London.

This is a time of great opportunity for our county and I will work with you to make the right decisions, which are based on proper consultation and openness."

Matt Mathias said: "This election is a very important one for the people of Preseli Pembrokeshire. They have a choice between London-based parties, who care little for this county, or Plaid Cymru, a party based in Wales that sticks up for Wales.

"I am looking forward to the campaign and my priorities will be to defend public services, abolish the unfair council tax and stop the drain of our young people, who find is so hard to get a good job and an affordable home in this county.

"I want to get away from the old Labour v Tory playground arguments and start concentrating on what is really important for Pembrokeshire and Wales."

Sue Hayman said: This election is a choice between moving forward with Labour, with more investment in schools, hospitals and police, or back to the days of Tory cuts.

Unemployment in Preseli-Pembrokeshire has halved. We have more doctors, nurses, teachers and police. Labour has built a strong economy with low mortgage rates and a rising minimum wage. We will keep tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and work to end child poverty.

As your Labour MP, I would work hard for families, pensioners and local business in partnership with our Labour Assembly Member to get the best for Pembrokeshire from Westminster and Cardiff.