LABOUR and Liberal Democrat councillors in Darwen have admitted Marsh House ward will host the tightest contest in the town council elections on Thursday.

Labour has put forward three new candidates in the ward in John Roberts, Paul O’Garr and Kieran Richards, while current councillor Simon Huggill will stand for the Lib Dems with relatives Rebecca and Peter.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But also thrown into the mix will be Ukip candidate Madeline Allen-Holmes and Conservative Neil Slater, brother of John Slater and husband of Julie Slater, who both currently sit on the borough council.

Current town mayor and town council leader Cllr Trevor Maxfield said it’s difficult to know which way its going to go in Marsh House, with the Tories campaigning hard in the ward.

He said: “I think that Marsh House will be a very tight contest and if the Tories do manage to get a seat I think it will be there.”

Lib Dem candidate for Sudell Paul Browne said he is also predicting a change in power in Marsh House.

He said: “I think that Labour may lose a couple of seats and I’m predicting that the most likely loss will be in Marsh House.

“We have put a good team together for that ward and I reckon we will gain another seat there.”

Tom Evans and Frank Connor will both stand down from the town council in Marsh House but Mr Connor will be up for election in the borough council.

Sudell will also be another hot contest with three Labour, three Liberal and one Tory standing for election.

One of the biggest issues that may determine residents votes on Thursday will be the life of the three-day market, with Labour standing for its demolition and Lib Dems fighting for it to remain.

Cllr Browne said that Labour’s attitude towards the three-day market consultation could lose them seats.

He said: “So many people have walked up to me and said they are disappointed with how Labour have handled the three-day market.

“I reckon Labour could lose a couple of seats simply through that issue because people are pretty upset about it.”

Elsewhere, Cllr Roberts said he reckons there could be an upset in Whitehall with controversial Ukip candidate Austin Molloy and Conservative Steve Duncan standing against Liberals John East and Vicky Rothwell.

He said: “Marsh House and Sudell will be tight but I do think there could be a potential upset in Whitehall.”

Standing in Earcroft will be Stephanie Brookfield and Cllr Maxfield along with Liberal candidates Sofia Westall and Darryl Counsell and Tory runner Lynn Perkins.

In Sunnyhurst, Labour candidates Pete Hollings, Dave Smith and Brian Taylor will all stand again against Liberals Ros Myers, Denyse Perry and Rachel Wilding.