POLITICAL heavyweights fighting for Preston's parliamentary seat are set for a 'gloves off' contest, as the town's by-election goes to its final round.

Although no firm date has yet been fixed for the contest, rumours circulating around Preston's Town Hall fear the by-election could only be called early next year -- prompting calls from rival parties that Labour are "running scared".

The Labour party has yet to name its contender, although a meeting of 14 short-listed candidates will be whittled down to just six following interviews at London's Millbank Tower -- with local party chairman, councillor John Collins, chairing the local party interview stage at the weekend.

The list includes, among others, Valerie Wise -- daughter of the late Audrey Wise -- along with Liz Atkins -- daughter of former Preston North MP Ron Atkins -- and vice-chairman of Preston's Labour Party, James Hull.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has selected a local nurse to contest the seat who is determined to put the environment as well as social and economic justice at the heart of their campaign. Richard Merrick, 33, a theatre nurse at the Royal Preston Hospital, said: "The Green Party is a radical party and our anti-nuclear, anti-racist and pro-human rights will be highly relevant to issues of key concern to Preston people, ranging from opposing the single currency to stopping nuclear trains passing through our town."

Their election pledges include repealing racist asylum legislation, no to GM foods, the legalising of cannabis and expanding public transport.

Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, Graham O'Hare, believes he can capitalise on Labour's poor showing in recent months -- and says he is going to fight the election on "issues not personalities".

He said: "I'm very upbeat about this by-election. We are hopefully going to take away the disaffected voters who thought Blair was going to help them.

"I am very confident. We are going to fight part of this election on the fact that I am a local candidate."

Bill Chadwick, Preston's Liberal Democrat candidate, believes the time is right for the Liberals to gain political advantage.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be selected for the third time," he said, "hopefully third time lucky!

"We are going to fight on issues such as the regeneration of Preston's economy -- in particular inward investment.

"Also, pensioners' rights and the abolition of tuition fees will also be high on our agenda."