The Conservatives should be comfortable winners in Withdean but the presence of three independents has spiced up the race.

Pat Drake is an old hand and was a leading member of the administration on East Sussex County Council.

Husband-and-wife team Ann and Ken Norman are also standing again and speak for the Tories on finance and adult social services respectively. All three have built up strong reputations in the ward and hold huge majorities.

The biggest issue, exercising a fair chunk of the electorate, is the changes to secondary school catchment areas.

The Conservatives opposed the scheme but only after the final details had emerged.

James Simister is standing on this issue with Brighton and Hove Independents.

He is joined by Simon Swan, who is taking up parking issues, and Michael Whitty, who is raising planning problems.

Labour polled second best last time and have been putting some work into the ward.

The party is represented by Jack Kiffin, Mike Middleton and Gary Thurston.

Lynn Mackenzie, Eddie Wearing and Omar Jebari are standing for the Greens, who want to give Withdean a greener, fairer deal.

The Liberal Democrats field Hyder Khalil, John Lovatt and Robert Stockman.

Parking problems in the south of the ward, caused by the overspill from Prestonville, and safety concerns about the A23 are two big issues.