TWO years ago Blackburn Conservatives smelled the opportunity to make real gains in the historically Labour seat as Jack Straw stood down.

Tory candidate Bob Eastwood campaigned on a ‘change’ ticket but the only change was the name of the Labour MP, the third since the constituency was recreated in 1955.

Winner Kate Hollern confounded the pundits by increasing the party’s majority to 12,760.

Former police chief Mr Eastwood worked harder than any Conservative candidate for decades and saw a small increase in his vote but the former Blackburn with Darwen council leader saw a bigger one.

Since then she has had a rough personal ride with the cancer death of her long-term partner.

The internal turmoil of the Labour party over Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership cannot have helped although she remains on his front bench.

The good news for Mr Eastwood is the mysterious absence of the promised UKIP candidate, probably sending many of its 6,280 votes in 2015 his way.

The uncertain element is 34-year-old learning development manager and Blackburn Rovers fan Duncan Miller as an Independent ‘Venky’s Out’ candidate.

A security consultant for a national sporting organisation Mr Eastwood is unable to comment on footballing issues.

Like Mrs Hollern he is adamant: “Now is the time for all communities in Blackburn to stand together.”

The constituency has one of the youngest populations and largest South Asian heritage communities in the UK.

It voted for Brexit last year despite Mrs Hollern and Mr Straw being prominent ‘Remainers’.

Labour campaign chiefs claim Mr Corbyn goes down well with young, South Asian heritage and left-leaning Labour supporters.

Mr Eastwood takes heart from increasing his vote two years ago and believes his support for Brexit puts him on the right side of the argument locally.

He said: “I campaigned for an improvement in Blackburn night life and for the streets to be cleaner. The council were encouraged by the public interest and started to take their responsibilities more seriously

“I aim to ensure we have a reputation for excellent schools and colleges and as a town that attracts people of all ages, to live, work, study and socialise

“I have extensive experience in fighting terrorism.

“Jeremy Corbyn is particularly unpopular and there are a lot of people undecided. Blackburn Labour need to be more in touch with the public and less self-assured."

Mr Miller said: “The question of Blackburn Rovers is a very important matter to their fans, the town, its mood and its economy. Every vote for me is a message to the Venky’s.”

Mrs Hollern highlights the £33million Cathedral Quarter and the rapidly improving night-time economy with new town centre bars and restaurants as achievements of the Labour council’s years of work.

Irfan Ahmed, the Liberal Democrat candidate faces a huge task after its vote collapsed to just 955 last time.

The 25-year-old Nelson-born IT Consultant said: “Key issues are lack of jobs for professionals and graduates in Blackburn, more funding for our NHS especially the Royal Blackburn hospital's A&E department and our schools, which are set to lose millions.”

Mrs Hollern said: “The issue of Blackburn Rovers is hugely important to the town and its economy but it isn’t coming up on the doorstep.

“The really big issue is pensions and the cuts of winter fuel allowance and the Tory proposals for a ‘Dementia Tax’ to pay for care for the elderly.

“People are worried about the local hospital trust’s finances after their amazing work getting out of special measures.”

Her team are confident of victory even sensing another increased majority.

Mr Eastwood, with unusually strong links with the town’s Asian community, believes this time he can make a big dent into Labour’s domination.

If he fails, he has put in a lot of effort over the three years for nothing.

The candidates are: Irfan Ahmed, Liberal Democrat; Bob Eastwood, Conservative; Kate Hollern, Labour; Duncan Miller, Independent.

The 2015 result: Labour Kate Hollern 24,762; Conservative Bob Eastwood 12,002; UKIP Dayle Taylor 6,280; Liberal Democrat Gordon Lishman 955. Majority 12,760. Turnout 60.1 per cent.