COUNCIL leader Peter Britcliffe declared the elections in Hyndburn a referendum on plans to close Lancashire County Council-run homes, much to the horror of opposition councillors in the Labour group who claim to oppose the shutdown as much as the Conservatives.

But there is much more for voters to look at than that issue -- over which the borough has no control anyway.

When consultants Hacas Chapman Hendy were called in by Hyndburn First to map a way forward for the borough they found an outwardly bleak social landscape.

They told the area's regeneration agency this week about high levels of unemployment, poverty and benefit dependency, rising rates of crime often fuelled by alcohol and drugs, higher than average early mortality rates and illness and much unfit private housing.

But the Hyndburn cartographers were able to delineate sunny uplands, too -- good potential for job creation, police and local organisations linking to fight crime, improving local health provision and projects to provide new homes and a better environment.

It's against this background that Hyndburn's Conservative and Labour parties are fighting what is expected to be a close campaign. For the first time since 1974 every seat is up for grabs.

The number of councillors is being reduced from 47 to 35 after ward boundaries were redrawn in an effort to make each voting area more balanced. Several have changed considerably, notably between Clayton, Altham and Huncoat and Accrington's Barnfield ward.

The Conservatives gained control of Accrington Town Hall two years ago on a devastating night for Labour when they gained eight seats.

Now, early on Friday, Coun Britcliffe and Labour chief Ian Ormerod will find out just who the voters want to map out their futures.

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