Arun District Council
All 56 seats are up for grabs. In 2003 The Tories tightened their grip on power as the leaders of the three main opposition parties were toppled.

The current make-up of the council includes 36 Conservatives, nine Lib Dems, eight Labour and three Independent, probably putting the Tories beyond reach in this election.

Littlehampton is enjoying a renaissance and was voted the coolest seaside resort in the country by Vogue magazine.

Chichester District Council
Political control could change with just three seats changing hands. The Conservatives' only challenge comes from the Lib Dems who have 20 seats, five behind the Tories.

But the Lib Dems have been making progress in recent elections and unseated Tory council leader Jane Chevis, who lost her Boxgrove ward seat in 2003.

Crawley Borough Council
Crawley's parliamentary seat, held by Labour MP Laura Moffatt, is the most marginal seat in the country and this election looks likely to be a close race between the Conservatives, with 18 seats, and Labour, with 16 seats.

The Tories took control of Crawley council in May last year, gaining 19 seats and an overall majority.

This was the first time in 33 years that the council had been under Conservative control but a few months later Tory councillor Marcella Head defected to the Liberal Democrats, leaving no one with overall control.

A major issue likely to feature in the campaign is the future of council housing after plans to transfer the stock to a housing association were dumped.

Eastbourne Borough Council
Traditionally this is a two-way fight between Lib Dems and Conservatives. The Tories captured control of Eastbourne council in 2004 and have remained in the driving seat.

Up to May last year, elections were held yearly, with one seat per ward coming up every 12 months but this year will be the first time all 27 councillors will be standing.

The future of Eastbourne District General Hospital is likely to feature prominently in all campaigns.

Horsham District Council
The Liberal Democrats surprised many by gaining six seats in 2003, leading to a hung council. But the Tories regained control in a by-election and now hold 22 seats to 19 Lib Dems and two independents. The BNP stood in a by-election last December, gaining the third highest number of votes and are fielding two candidates in this election.

Lewes District Council
The Lib Dems have a solid lead in Lewes, with 27 seats compared with ten Conservatives. But they are facing an unusual challenge from the Seagulls Party who are targeting the Lib Dems because of their objections to a new Brighton and Hove Albion football stadium in Falmer. The Newhaven incinerator plans are likely to play a key role, with both major local parties opposing the scheme.

Mid Sussex District Council
Liberal Democrats and Conservatives are neck and neck. The Tories are currently the biggest party but do not have overall control and hold just one extra seat compared with the Lib Dems. The future of the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, which could lose services under a regional review, is likely to adorn many a party leaflet.

Rother District Council
The Conservatives hold a resounding majority, with 25 seats compared with six Lib Dem councillors, their nearest rivals.

The Tories have a stronghold in Bexhill, gaining 13 of the 18 seats in the 2003 elections, while the Lib Dems tend to fare better in other areas of the district.

Wealden District Council
The Conservatives comfortably retained control of Wealden with a majority of 34 seats in 2003.

The Tories still have 34 seats, the Liberal Democrats 14 and seven councillors are independents.

The Lib Dems will be hoping to make their much longedfor breakthrough here.

Worthing Borough Council
Only five of the 37 seats in Worthing need to change colour to hand control back to the Liberal Democrats.

The Conservatives wrested power in Worthing in 2004 and consolidated their control last year, gaining 23 seats to the Lib Dems' 13.

But the Lib Dems have an active party in the town and will be raising issues about overdevelopment and the proposed merger of Worthing and Adur.

Only a third of seats are up for grabs at this election.

To see a map of of the Sussex councils holding elections in May 2007, click here.