PRESTON'S political landscape could have a new splash of colour after next month's local elections.

First there was the Labour Independent, then just Independent -- now Preston could be graced by a Conservative Independent.

Disillusioned Tory Stanley Baines plans to stand as an independent for the Ashton seat, pitching against the official Conservative candidate Keith Sedgewick and current councillor Mark Routledge.

His decision to stand could prove disastrous for the Conservatives. The Tories won a seat in Ashton at the last elections, but if the Conservative vote is split, Coun Routledge's seat could be in jeopardy.

Coun Baines, who has served on Preston Borough Council as a Conservative until 1996, said: "I am not doing doing this out of a fit of peak. I offered to stand but they chose someone who doesn't live in the area.

"People will like the fact I am independent, and an Ashtonian."

Preston Borough Council currently has 28 Labour councillors, 13 Conservatives, 10 Lib Dems, two Labour Independents, two members of the People's Party, one independent and one vacancy.

Should the situation remain the same, the members of the smaller parties could find themselves crowned king-makers as the three main parties fight for power.

Deepdale could become a Labour Independent-only ward for the first time. Coun Terry Cartwright and his wife Joyce already have two of the three seats in the ward, and their popularity with locals will no doubt help their long-time supporter Paul Malliband as he tries to make it three for the group.

And Preston's People's Party could find themselves commanding more power than their size suggests.

Already resigned to losing their grip on Deepdale with Tony Jones' resignation, representatives have been put up in Ingol -- against Lib Dem leader Bill Chadwick -- Larches and Riversway in a bid to ensure controversial councillor Joe Fitzgerald doesn't start the new democratic year a one-man party.

And if publicity equals popularity, Coun Fitzgerald could find himself being courted by the main parties come May 5.

The elections will also help decide who will be the next leader of Preston Borough Council, assuming that Labour retain control.

Valerie Wise and Ken Cole are both tipped to replace Coun Rankin, who has stepped down, but both need to be re-elected first.

Former mayor Dick Evans is also to stand down, aged 78. Lib Dem Mick Moulding's right hand man Michael Turner will be taking on Labour's John Collins in the struggle for Coun Evans' seat. And Tory Paul Balshaw is also running.

So it certainly won't be quiet on the Preston front next month.