Decision day

DECISION time looms for voters in Oldham, who will head to the polls to cast their votes on Thursday.

Readying to battle it out are 62 candidates vying for 20 seats (a third of the council) up for grabs in the borough’s 20 wards.

Of the seats being contested, the Liberal Democrats defend 11, Labour five and Conservatives four. The current make up of the 60-seat council is Labour 34, Lib-Dems 21 and Tories five — a Labour majority of eight.

Both Labour and Lib-Dems are fielding a candidate in each of the 20 wards. The Conservatives fight in 17, opting not to stand in Failsworth East, Failsworth West and Waterhead,

No candidates represent far-right groups such as the BNP or England First.

One candidate stands for the Respect party in Alexandra Ward, following the withdrawal of another candidate.

Both the Green Party and the UK Independence Party (UKIP) will field one candidate each; two independents will also stand.

Thursday also sees a Saddleworth Parish Council by-election in Delph and Denshaw for the seat of the late independent councillor Ken Hulme, who died in February.

The current constitution of the parish council is: Lib-Dem 12, Conservative four, Independent three.

Our eChron and print editions tonight have a full breakdown of all the candidates in each ward, and manifestos of the three main parties. The polls are open on Thursday from 7am-10pm.