Blackburn town hall has seen its fair share of twists and turns in the past year, and there could well be plenty more after May 1.

Going into the election, the balance of power is held by three councillors who have all become independent since last May - Arif Waghat, Michael Johnson and Yusuf Sidat.

Labour needs to take two seats, and not lose any, to regain overall control of the council.

In Blackburn, Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates are not standing against each other - although party leaders insist this is a coincidence and no deal has been done.

But in Darwen the battle will be fierce as the For Darwen group, which was largely responsible for Labour's losses last year, fields another seven candidates. Party leader Tony Melia could be in a strong strategic position if power sharing is discussed when the dust settles, although For Darwen is down to two councillors after Coun Johnson left the party.

Council leader Tory Colin Rigby is up for election in North Turton with Tockholes, as is regeneration executive member Alan Cottam, although both are regarded as safe Tory seats.

Labour stalwart Dave Smith could face a stiff challenge from Andrew Graham of For Darwen, which won a seat in Coun Smith's Sunnyhurst ward last time around.

But it is likely four tightly-contested wards - Earcroft, Marsh House, Little Harwood and Corporation Park - could hold the key to power.

Marsh House is a major Labour target, where Kevin Connor is being challenged by former Labour adult social care chief Frank Connor, as well as Tory and For Darwen candidates.

Lib Dem Abdul Rehman's Corporation Park seat could be under threat from Labour candidate Shaukat Hussain, and in LIttle Harwood, Labour's Abdul Patel will face a stiff challenge from Tory candidate Imran Khan.

Earcroft, where one of the seats was taken by the For Darwen Party last year, will see Labour's Moira Barrett under pressure from Lib Dem, For Darwen, Conservative and England First.

Seats held by two retiring Labour councillors are also up for grabs - Hussain Akhtar in Shear Brow, and Jim Blackburn, in Shadsworth with Whitebirk.

Two independent candidates, Trevor Holden (Roe Lee) and Francis Apaloo (Shear Brow) are standing.