EIGHT British National Party candidates - and one Independent - are looking to split the "big three" in the May 3 local elections.

Nominations closed yesterday for what could be the closest poll in years, with the council in Bury currently "hung".

A total of 60 candidates are competing for 17 seats as one third of the council comes up for grabs, one seat in each of the borough's wards.

The current line-up in the council chamber is: Labour 23 seats, Conservatives 22, and Liberal Democrats six.

The three main parties are contesting all 17 wards. The BNP is standing in eight (Tottington, Redvales, North Manor, Moorside, Church, and Radcliffe North, West and East), and sole Independent Ron Miles takes on deputy council leader Mike Connolly in East ward.

Among the most senior councillors who are seeking re-election are David Higgin (Tory, Tottington) and Alan Matthews (Labour, Besses). Defending his Church seat is the current Mayor of Bury, Coun Jack Walton, and two former mayors are also up for election: Labour's John Smith and the Lib Dems' Wilf Davison.

Former councillors looking to make a comeback include Joan Grimshaw, Steve Perkins, and ex-mayor Steve Treadgold, while regular Bury Times Letters Page regular contributor Bernard Slingsby has thrown his hat in the ring!

Two councillors are stepping down: long-serving Unsworth member Gordon Sharkey, who was made a Freeman of the Borough last week; and Radcliffe North councillor Barry Briggs.

Anyone who wants to vote but is not registered should contact the elections office at Bury Town Hall by April 18.