Tories in Eastbourne will be looking to restore some dignity after the Liberal Democrats wrested control from them in a shock win last year.

With the Lib Dems holding a slender majority of three, the Conservatives see their former stronghold as a top target.

However, with Tory cost cutting measures still relatively fresh in the electorate's mind in Eastbourne, they will have their work cut out.

Under leader Beryl Healy the Lib Dems have consolidated their position in power this year by reversing the Tories' most controversial cuts.

They orchestrated the reopening of both the Old Town Library in Victoria Drive and the Beachy Head Countryside Centre on the Downs.

The Tories' closure of both venues led many to turn against them at the polls last year.

But on the doorstep, however, as is the case throughout East Sussex, talk is dominated by the swingeing council tax rises inflicted on householders this year.

Eastbourne residents in particular have been hit with one of the country's highest increases, a colossal 38 per cent.

Tory MP Nigel Waterson says Eastbourne has the fourth highest rise, trailed only by Stratford upon Avon, Weymouth and West Oxfordshire.

Of that 38 per cent rise, 37 per cent resulted from the council having to replace refuse contractor Serviceteam. French-owned Sita started a £3 million, seven-year contract in Eastbourne on April 1.

Part of the deal involves introducing wheelie bins and recycling boxes to every household in a bid to hit government recycling targets.

However, with many low-income residents, a rise of 38 per cent will cut deep in Eastbourne.

The Lib Dems have urged people to direct their anger at Whitehall for lumbering them with what they call an "appalling" grant settlement.

The government defied cross-party pressure to divert funds from struggling southern areas to Labour heartlands in the North.

In Eastbourne, such methodology has for the first time resulted in four-figure bills - £1,209 - for Band D homeowners.

In Eastbourne, the Lib Dems hold 15 seats and the Conservatives 12. Labour, the Greens and the UK Independence Party all failed to win a seat last year.

With boundary changes, ten wards have been reduced to nine.

Thirty-three candidates from five parties will contest nine seats in the nine wards, with electors voting for one candidate.

Tory Sheila Charlton hopes to clinch the St Anthony's ward seat after being surprisingly beaten into fourth place last year behind Lib Dems David Tutt, Jon Harris and Norman Marsh.

In Hampden Park, Mayor Olive Woodall's seat looks safe. She was the inspiration behind the Beachy Head Countryside Centre revival.

In Old Town, Tory Ian Lucas will do battle with Lib Dem John Creaven.

The Tories' presence in Old Town has not been welcomed since their colleagues at county hall sanctioned the library's closure last year to save £26,000.

More than 400 people waved placards to vent their bile at the decision.

However, shadow deputy prime minister and former party chairman David Davis visited the ward in March to endorse Mr Lucas' candidature.

And in April Eastbourne Tory MP Nigel Waterson opened his new constituency office in Victoria Drive, a stone's throw from the reopened library.

Elsewhere, Tory Patrick Warner will attempt to hold off Lib Dems Alan Carroll and Stafford Gowland to keep the Conservatives' monopoly in Sovereign ward.

CANDIDATES FOR MAY 2003 Key: C Conservative; G Green; L Labour; LD Liberal Democrat; UKIP United Kingdom Independence Devonshire (1 seat): Nancy Dalton (G); Kenneth Graham (C); Neil Stanley (LD).

Hampton Park (1): Edward Abella (C); David Brinson (L&Co-op); Leslie Dalton (G); Olive Woodall (LD).

Langney (1): Jonathan Pettigrew (L); Christine Quarrington (G); Robert Slater (LD); Thomas Walters (C).

Meads (1): David Buck (L); David Elkin (C); Clive Gross (G); Steven Wallis (LD).

Old Town (1): John Creaven (LD); Ian Lucas (C); Robert Rossetter (L); Liam Stephens (G).

Ratton (1): Peter Durrant (LD); Martin Falkner (L); Sandie Howlett (C); Kevin Moore (G).

St Anthony's (1): Kenneth Alderton (UKIP); Sheila Charlton (C); Norman Marsh (LD); Nora Ring (L).

Sovereign (1): Alan Carroll (LD); Patrick Warner (C).

Upperton (1): Stafford Gowland (LD); John Morrison (G); Ann Murray (C); Peter Tucker (L).