Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will pound the pavements with three of his party’s mayoral hopefuls during an England-wide tour on the eve of so-called “super Thursday”.

Sir Keir will visit West Yorkshire, the West Midlands and the West of England before the largest set of elections held outside of a general election.

During his eve of poll tour, the former director of public prosecutions is set to emphasise that the party is “different” under his “new leadership” since taking over from left-wing stalwart Jeremy Corbyn.

It comes as the party faces worrying polling suggesting it faces defeat in the Hartlepool by-election – a Westminster seat it has held for four decades – and that it could lose ground in council elections in its so-called “red wall” of traditional heartlands in the North and Midlands, including in Sunderland, Bolton and Derby.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir will campaign with Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, Labour’s candidate for West Yorkshire mayor, before heading to the West Midlands to press the case for Liam Byrne, who is looking to topple Conservative incumbent Andy Street.

He will finish the day with Dan Norris, the party’s candidate for West of England mayor.

Sir Keir, who the party said had clocked up 7,500 miles over the course of 65 events while campaigning before Thursday, said: “Our fantastic Labour candidates have shown in this campaign that Labour’s priorities are the British people’s priorities. Creating jobs, tackling crime and protecting the NHS.

“I can’t wait to join Tracy, Dan and Liam on the campaign trail today. They have run energetic and ambitious campaigns and will all make outstanding mayors.

“Across the UK, if you want strong voices for our towns and cities, our regions and nations, then vote for Labour candidates.

“They will stand up against a Conservative Government in Westminster which is more interested in providing favours to friends than backing Britain’s communities.

“This is a different Labour Party, under new leadership.

“Vote Labour tomorrow to put you, your family and your community first.

“Let’s make Britain the best place to grow up and grow old, whoever you are and wherever you live.”