VOTERS can expect four weeks of solid campaigning as candidates for May's local elections seek your support.

Nominations closed this week for the May 4 poll , and no fewer than 54 hopefuls will be contesting the 16 electoral wards in the borough of Bury.

It's a straight three-way fight between Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in most seats, but there are also two Environment and Wildlife candidates and one outright Independent.

For the first time since 1987, the Lib Dems are contesting all seats in the borough with a mixture of seasoned campaigners and first-timers.

Whatever the result, there are are certain to be some new faces on the council: no fewer than six councillors are retiring. Five Labour councillors are stepping down: Sheila Barnes in Ramsbottom, Sue Arnall in Moorside, Jean Howcroft in Unsworth, and Stuart Kaufman in St Mary's. Linda Harwood has resigned her seat two years early, meaning that voters in Radcliffe North will have to choose two councillors at these elections. Perhaps the most well-known retirement is that of Tottington Conservative councillor Harold Taylor, who has served 32 years.

Among the "big names" seeking re-election are Wilf Davison, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and John Byrne, deputy leader of the council, who defends his East ward seat against the only Independent challenger, Chesham Fold tenants' representative Victor Hagan.

Former mayors of Bury, Tory member Roy Walker and Labour's Connie Fitzgerald, also defend their seats.

And several candidates are hoping for a political comeback. Former Tory councillors Denise Bigg and Cherrill Dunkley will be standing in the Radcliffe North and Central wards, while Sam Cohen hopes to retake Unsworth.

The present constitution of Bury Council is: Labour 37 seats, Conservatives 8, and Liberal Democrats 3.

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