Wish ward has been represented by both Labour and Tory councillors in recent history.

Before the 2003 election, two Labour councillors and one Tory held the ward.

But the electoral area was reduced to two seats and four years ago was taken by two Conservatives who beat Labour by 200 votes.

Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn, former leader of the Conservative group, and Councillor Ted Kemble, spokesman on environment, are both standing again and have enjoyed a high profile.

Coun Peltzer Dunn said that two of the key issues in the ward were overdevelopment and parking.

A controlled parking zone is set to be introduced after the election but the overspill from other areas has led to angry meetings with hundreds of protesters.

Labour are again the biggest threat to the Tories and have been putting some time into the fight.

Labour's Malcolm Prescott has a strong interest in the environment and is pushing for a new park-andride and improved bus and train services for the suburban areas of Brighton and Hove.

He is joined by Mark Wright.

Mark Stack, of the Protest Vote Party, is also standing and promises to resign if elected.

He believes a protest vote will push the big beasts of politics to note voters' disenchantment and ensure they listen to residents rather than toeing the party line.

The Liberal Democrats are fielding one of the youngest candidates in the country, 18-year-old Mark Collins. His fellow candidate is Dinah Staples.

The Greens are pushing for a clean and safe city, with Liz Wakefield and Sally Glaskin.