Labour enjoyed 14 years of control before it lost out to the Conservatives in 2000, winning power back in 2002 but losing it again in 2004.

Since this time last year, it has been a dramatic year on the political scene, with the Tories' grip on power weakening following a number of by-elections and a high-profile defection.

Three Tory councillors resigned in the summer and in September two seats were lost to Labour and another to the Lib Dems.

In November Labour held on to the seat held by former deputy mayor Peter Gill, who died in August, after a close-fought by-election.

And earlier this month former Conservative council leader Duncan Ruddick announced he would stand down, blaming outside influences' for souring his relationship with local Tories.

His Worsley seat will be contested by Ann Kenyon, for Labour and Conservative David Stansfield.

There will also be a by-election in Whitewell ward to contest the seat of former Labour group leader David Hancock, who resigned from the council after 20 years following a row with party colleagues.

All this means that while the Tories enjoy a five-seat lead over Labour, they could lose their overall majority, fuelling speculation of a joint bid for power by the other parties.

With seven of the 13 seats up for election held by the Conservatives, Labour will fancy its chances, but according to sources recent negative headlines for the Labour government are concerning voters on the doorsteps.

Among the key battles will be in Longholme, where disaffected Tory Leonard Entwistle is standing as an independent against the Tory's Jason Gledhill and Maurice Jones of Labour.