LOCAL voters will be going to the polling booths next month in Atherton where a by-election has been called to fill the Wigan Council vacancy following the death of Cllr Joe Clarke.

It promises to be an intriguing battle with Labour's favourite Mark Aldred -- who has previously stood for election in the neighbouring Hindsford ward -- facing Liberal Democrat first-timer Bob Splaine.

Nominations close today for what is expected to be a two horse race when polling day comes around on Thursday, April 5. And voters are reminded that under new rules anyone can apply to vote by post. Both contenders are local men and well-known in the town.

Mr Aldred runs a locksmith business in Atherton and Mr Splaine, a retired Royal Mail manager, and his wife, Ilse, are regular fund raisers for cancer research.

Howe Bridge-born Mr Aldred lives in Atherton as do many of his relatives and is well-known for his community work in the Atherton and Hindsford areas.

Family man Mr Aldred, who has two young children, said: "I know this area well and I would love the chance to join my other Labour colleagues in working tirelessly to represent the people of Atherton on the Council.

"I have always worked on the principle that it's deeds not words that matter to people locally. As always I shall be fighting a fair and honest campaign regardless of how many opponents I have."

Bob Splaine is a family fund raiser in Atherton where he was born 65 years ago in Swan Street.

Ex-Chanters pitman Mr Splaine joined the army as a conscript and liked it so much he signed on for a further 15 years with the Royal Army Medical Corps serving as a regular in the Far East, Singapore, Germany and in war-torn Borneo in 1962.

He left the service and worked for a spell at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Patricroft then spent 20 years with the Post Office in Bolton before helping set-up the Royal Mail Streamline service.

For the past decade he and his wife Ilse have held yearly summer "Strawberry fairs" at their home, raising over £10,000 for the Christie Hospital.

Mr Splaine, leader of Howe Bridge Residents' and Tenants' Association and former Atherton and Tyldesley District Scouts chairman, said this week: "I am confident I can break the Labour stranglehold in this area."