THE Tories would love to have the earthquake result they need to become the biggest party in Rossendale.

It’s unlikely but they have their eyes on the future of Tory MP Jake Berry.

They will be almost as interested as borough council leader Alyson Barnes in how her UKIP challenger Andrew Pettigrew does against her in Goodshaw ward. If he outperforms Tory candidate Nicola May and Coun Barnes holds on, the Tories and Mr Berry are in real trouble.

LibDem Jim Pilling will be looking to buck the national opinion polls and hold his party’s only seat in the borough against Tory Karl Kempson and Labour’s Jean Hayler in Whitewell.

Alan Neal, the Community First party’s sole councillor, faces competition from UKIP’s Michael Hartley and the Conservative Dayne Powell in Healey and Whitworth.

For Labour to lose control, the Tories must win the four wards they are defending and take the eight they are contesting – and then form an alliance.