On the former Brighton Borough Council, there was a Preston Park ward which almost invariably voted Conservative.

But the newly-created Preston Park ward is far bigger and different.

It is one of the few wards where all four parties are fighting hard.

Labour is fielding a full team of sitting councillors.

One of them is the independently-minded Kevin Allen, who has moved across from Marine ward.

There is also Juliet McCaffery, who chairs the equalities forum and represents the current Preston ward.

The third Labour candidate is Mike Middleton, who has had responsibility for sport and the King Alfred Leisure Centre redevelopment.

The Tories have a team headed by experienced councillor Pamela Stiles, who has moved over from Woodingdean.

She is a late replacement for Jonathan Sheppard, who has had to move with his job to the Midlands. She is campaigning along with two other candidates.

The Green line-up includes a familiar name in Laurence Littman, plus college lecturer Alison Plaumer and telecommunications manager Richard Mallender.

Liberal Democrats have fared well in parts of the area in the past. They are also fielding a full team.

Issues for this cosmopolitan ward include education, the future of Preston Park and its renovation and a skyscraper planned for the Endeavour garage site.

Candidates (three seats):

Conservatives - Marie-Anne June Bezencon, Andrew Stephen Garrood, Pamela Stiles.

Labour - Michael Middleton, Kevin Allen, Juliet McCaffery.

Liberal Democrats - Christopher Anderson, Birgit Gutheridge, Trefor David William Hunter.

Greens - Laurence Joel David Littman, George Richard Mallender, Alison Joan Plaumer.