CANDIDATES are out of the blocks for the Hyndburn Council elections which take place on Thursday 1 May.
Nominations closed last Friday, showing that Conservatives and Labour are contesting all 12 seats up for grabs, along with two Lib Dems, two Greens and an Independent.
The Tories narrowly control the council with 18 seats, with Labour holding 14 and three Independents.
In the light of national opinion polls, the Conservatives will be hoping to strengthen their position, although Labour will be campaigning hard on local issues.
Tories are defending seven seats and Labour five.
Many current councillors are battling to retain their seats, though Labour will be saying goodbye to former leaders David Myles and Jean Battle, who has decided to concentrate on her county council commitments.
Lifelong Liberal Party member Clive Fisher has defected to the Conservatives and will make his political debut in Peel Ward where he will be aiming to unseat Labour leader Graham Jones.
Ian Robinson is to stand as an Independent for the Netherton ward.
He denied it was a kneejerk reaction to his planning application for a creche in Great Harwood being turned down last month.
He added: "I would like to make a difference in the area. There’s no investment going into Great Har-wood.
"It’s my first time standing as a candidate and I’m learning a lot. I know a lot of people and a lot of businesses in the area and everyone was telling me to stand and saying they would vote for me."
Polling stations will be open around the borough from 7am, closing at 10pm, and the count will take place at Hyndburn Sports Centre from 10pm onwards.
