PARTIES today had their last chance to woo voters in the final full day of campaigning before tomorrow's local elections.

Control of all 22 county halls and 1,264 council seats are up for grabs.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan hopes to limit any damage being inflicted on his wing of the party by a dreadful period for the UK Government.

The Welsh Labour leader has joined the chorus of disapproval towards scrapping the 10p income tax band.

Labour entered the final strait of campaigning with another bitter attack on the Liberal Democrats last night.

The two parties are going head to head in Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend and Wrexham - all run by Lib Dem-led executives.

In an election broadcast last night, Labour claimed a vote for the Lib Dems was a "vote for rampant crime''.

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said: "This election is a real choice, an important choice.

"Choose safer, cleaner streets. Choose better public services. Choose value for money.'' On a campaign visit to Cardiff yesterday, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said the city council had invested in tackling anti-social behaviour.

He said: "The 10p tax issue goes to the heart of Labour's problems and could cost them 100 seats in Wales alone at this election.'' Plaid Cymru has been trying to put some breathing space between itself and its Labour coalition partners in a bid to claw back ground it lost in the south Wales valleys at the 2004 local elections.

Plaid local government spokesman Dai Lloyd said: "Our manifesto demonstrates our practical policies for addressing the issues that concern voters across Wales - London Labour's programme of post office closures for example.'' The Conservatives - the fifth group in local government behind Labour, the Lib Dems, Plaid and the independent councillors who dominate some parts of Wales - have their eyes on the Vale of Glamorgan.

Tory Assembly leader Nick Bourne said: "There's a turning away from Labour. I can't remember it being as positive for us and as favourable to us on the doorstep as it is now.

"The big issue is the 10p tax rate and the state of the parties in Westminster.''