PULLING no punches in the final week of the election campaign, two Fylde contenders squared up bravely for a Citizen showdown.

In the red corner, Labour's John Garrett, a 6ft 4ins 14-stone former Olympic rower, faced the petite yet formidable Alison Jack in the blue.

"I'm hoping for a good clean fight with Michael Jack on May 1," said the Commonwealth silver medallist who took part in the Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona Olympics.

But Mrs Jack, standing in for her hard-hitting Treasury Secretary husband, was far from being on the ropes.

"I may not have taken part in any Olympic games," she said, "but I've been fighting election campaigns for 26 years and I know we'll land a knockout blow on Labour on polling day."

Acting as seconds were neighbours Mabel Tomes and Terry Sandiford, who threw their colours into the ring the day the election campaign was announced.

The pair, who live on opposite corners of Smithy Lane, Ansdell, Lytham St. Annes, are displaying Conservative and Labour placards in their front gardens. But the party stalwarts have promised to remain the best of friends no matter who wins.

Terry said: "It all started when Mabel put up a huge poster of John Major and I thought we should remind people the Labour party exists as well.

"People are entitled to their own opinions and I think it is great we can have a laugh about it at the same time. We hear a lot of people beeping their horns as they go past."

Mabel agreed: "I put up signs in the last election and was asked to do the same this time.

"It is all good fun and it is great to see people stop and have a look."

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