THE second of our local election previews looks at the chances for the official opposition party the Liberal Democrats at the May 7 poll.

AFTER a successful General Election last year, Chorley's Liberal Democrats have been looking forward to the chance of putting their local popularity to the test.

The party is fielding 11 candidates in 18 seats across the borough and will be hoping to bolster their group of six at the town hall.

Campaign co-ordinator Ken Ball, who defends his Coppull South seat with a majority of 184, said: "Our chances are very good. We have a policy of fielding candidates only in seats we have a real chance of winning.

"We've been gaining more seats on borough councils across the country than any other party and we always try to fight local elections on local issues to help local people."

1992 General Election candidate Janet Ross-Mills (pictured) is hoping to unseat Conservative Marie Gray in Anglezarke, Heapey and Wheelton, where the majority is just 47. She said: "I stood four years ago when I was very close to winning and I hope my work on the parish council since then pays off."

In Clayton-le-Woods East Simon Jones, will be defending a majority of 1,378 - the largest on the council.

He said: "We're fighting on our record of hard work and action over a number of years and we're confident of holding on to both our Clayton seats."

And Gail Ormston, who has a majority of 25, is standing again in Clayton West and Cuerden. She said: "I've been working hard for four years and I hope to be re-elected so I can continue to do that for the interests of the local people."

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