Labour has often done well in small and densely populous constituencies and this is certainly true of Blyth Valley, where the party has failed to win only once in the seatís history.
Much of Northumberland is protected by "area of outstanding natural beauty" status, with rugged moorlands, forested hillsides and examples of rare wildlife. Blyth Valley, however, is home to disused collieries, shipyards and a power station providing a stark contrast to the beauty of other parts of the county.
Offshore industries have been attracted to Blyth harbour and the economic outlook is not all bad. The new town of Cramlington, formed from private housing estates, is expanding rapidly, and though its functional appearance brings little relief to the seatís appearance, it is symptomatic of growing confidence in the region.
Ronnie Campbell, a coal miner here before he became the MP in 1987, has the distinction of being the first ever locally born and bred MP for the seat. Mr Campbell worked in the local Bates pit for 27 years before being made redundant a year before becoming an MP.