LIBERAL Democrats in Burnley and Padiham are hoping they can go one better than last year and capture overall control of the council.

In the Liberal Democrat-controlled borough of Burnley, the ruling party currently has 16 seats, Labour 16, the British National Party seven, Conservatives five and one seat taken by an independent.

The Lib Dems have been in coalition with the Conservatives since ousting Labour from power last year - the first time Labour had lost control of the borough since local government reorganisation in 1974.

Lib Dem council leader Gordon Birtwistle said: "We are hoping we will be able to consolidate on our success of last year and pick up a few seats.

"We think we have done a good job in Burnley and want to continue our work."

Labour, led by Andy Tatchell will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that disastrous poll when they lost five seats, including long-time leader Stuart Caddy.

However, the national picture is likely to be reflected locally with the Lib Dems again in line to pick up seats.

If they manage to capture enough seats they could take sole control of the town hall and rule without the help of the Tories.

The BNP is fielding nine candidates, Labour 15, Liberal Democrats 15, Conservatives 12 and there will be two independents.

The Green Party is also putting up one candidate and England First one.

Steven Smith, who is standing for the far-right party leader is a former BNP chief.

Mr Smith, who failed to win the Danesholme and Stoneyholme seat on Burnley Council in February's by-election, received a five-year ban from political office in 2002 when he was sentenced to six months in prison for election fraud.

He admitted allowing false nominations to be submitted for the 2001 elections when he was organiser for the Burnley branch of the BNP.

Former deputy Labour leader Peter Kenyon is also bidding to get a place back on the council by standing as a candidate in Gannow.

The big issues on the doorstep include the reduction of accident and emergency services at Burnley General Hospital, litter and waste collection.

The Lib Dems, Labour and the BNP are defending four seats each and the Conservatives one.