WE have all heard of the three mainstream parties, but who else is standing in next week's euro-election? Gareth Tidman explains who they are and what they stand for.

IT has been a long and lonely campaign trail for the North-west's euro-constituency's only independent candidate, Ronald Alan Neal.

The Bolton-born baker has walked more than 4,000 miles and delivered around 87,000 leaflets by hand in his bid to be elected to Brussels.

Working alone for around 19 hours a day, his efforts to keep pace with the enormous resources of the mainstream party machines have seen him travel between the Scottish borders down to Stoke in the south.

He will be among 11 other political groups contesting the North-west euro-constituency on June 10, which is the largest in the country with more than 5.9 million voters.

The former Harper Green School pupil said: "It has been hard work but the response I have had, particularly in my home town of Bolton, has been terrific."

As an independent candidate, Mr Neal needs to poll 10 per cent of the total number of votes received by the party with the most support to be elected under the ballot's system of proportional representation.

His policies include increasing the old age pension by 15 per cent to bring it in line with the rest of Europe, and replacing student loans with a graduate tax.

British National Party (BNP)

THE far-right group campaigns for an immediate halt to all further immigration and the immediate deportation of criminal and illegal immigrants.

It wishes to offer "generous financial incentives" both for individuals and countries to give legal immigrants the opportunity to return to their lands of ethnic origin.

The BNP says it will crack down on crime, restore discipline to the classroom and wants Britain out of Europe.

The Countryside Party

CREATED four year ago by rural dwellers, supporters of the Countryside Party believe the feelings of people who enjoy country sports and the rural way of life are being ignored.

It is the only party dedicated to the protection of country sports such as fox hunting, and is also fighting to preserve post offices and other rural services. The party is famous for organising marches and petitions to further its cause.

English Democrats Party (EDP)

THIS young party has been formed by people concerned that the interests of the English people have been ignored in the Government's moves to offer devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Modelling itself as a democratic, nationalist party, it wants to replace the current immigration policy with a points system based on the Canadian model.

Points would be awarded for, among other things, educational and professional qualification, family links with England, financial resources, and the ability to speak English.

The Green Party

IT wants a green revolution and believes the North-west, as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, has a huge role to play.

Supporters hope to reverse modern policies which they believe are harming the environment and communities.

The party wants new ethical import regulations to help protect people in third world countries against exploitative trade arrangements, and argues that it is wrong to criminalise cannabis but not alcohol.

The Liberal Party

THIS group was formed by members of the old Liberal Party which opposed the merger with the Social Democratic Party, which created the Liberal Democrats in the 1980s.

It aims to create a liberal society in which every citizen enjoys liberty, property and security, and where none are enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

The ProLife Party

THIS group stands for what it considers to be the most basic and fundamental human right, the right to life.

ProLife supporters oppose abortion and euthanasia and argue for safeguarding human rights, increasing international aid and putting more funding into ethical medical research.

RESPECT

REBEL MP George Galloway helped to form this Left-wing coalition out of the anti-war movement.

Its supporters oppose top-up fees in universities, foundation hospitals, racism and privatisation.

The group stands for peace, an end to the occupation of Iraq and the principle that everyone should be protected by compassionate public provision.

UK Independence Party (UKIP)

COMMITTED to withdrawing Britain from the European Union, supporters of this group believe Britain is slowly being taken over by the bureaucratic institutions of Brussels.

UKIP -- supported by high-profile figures such as Robert Kilroy-Silk and Joan Collins -- believes the EU is not only bad for Britain's economy and prosperity, but it is an alien system of government that will ultimately prove to be totally unacceptable to the British people.

Supporters want to replace Britain's membership of the European Union with agreements on free trade and co-operation.

Mr Neal said: "For every pound in your pocket, the Government will eventually take 80p in tax.

"I want to see taxation reduced by allowing local authorities to hold on to the business rates they collect."

They love an underdog and are keen to get behind one of their own