AS election fever mounts so to does the war of words between the Labour and Conservative parties over amenities in Rainford.

John Appleton, Labour's candidate for Rainford has hit back saying: "Voting Tory in Rainford would set back progress that Labour has made over the past few years. Whilst Labour Councillors all over St Helens fought for better services, Rainford Tories argued for cuts to back their Government.

"Since Rainford dumped the Tories in favour of Labour, Rainford has seen massive investment in local schools - more than £1 million will be spent in Rainford over the next 12 months.

"The Labour Council is committed to providing nursery education for all our children. Next year, nursery education will be provided in Rainford for the first time. Rainford's only Tory councillor refused to support this decision."

But Tony Brown, the Tory candidate for Rainford, launched a scathing attack on the current Labour Council. At a Conservative meeting in Rainford, he claimed that Council Tax revenues of £2,3 million was funded by Rainford Residents who weren't seeing anything for their money. He said: "It is obvious from these figures that people in Rainford are paying Council Tax merely to finance the pet projects of councillors in the Labour-controlled wards in the town.

"We are not getting our fair share of investment in terms of environment, road repairs and leisure facilities, which are sadly lacking in the village.

"Whatever we need, we have to fight for." During the meeting he also revealed that the Labour Party had even paid tribute to his work in obtaining finance for the new teaching block at Rainford High School."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.