IPSWICH: A total of 61 candidates are contesting 17 seats in the elections to the borough council on May 3.

There is one seat up for grabs in 15 of the 16 wards, and two seats up for election in Bixley – there is a by-election caused by the death of Russell Harsant in January.

Mr Harsant’s death also means there is a by-election for the Bixley county council seat as well, and there are five candidates in that election.

There will be at least seven new councillors after the elections – six sitting members are not seeking re-election – but it is unlikely that the political complexion of the borough will change.

There are currently 28 Labour councillors, 14 Conservatives, and five LibDems.

Labour will be hoping to follow up last year’s success in winning seats from the Conservatives by taking Whitton, St John’s and Stoke Park.

It will also be hoping to take Alexandra from the Liberal Democrats.

The LibDems and Conservatives are already fighting hard in St Margaret’s where two former councillors, Andrew Cann and Stephen Ion are hoping to get back on to the borough.

The other seat where there is expected to be a tough battle is Holywells where former mayor David Hale is not seeking re-election.

Labour came close to winning it off former council leader Liz Harsant last May, and are putting a great deal of effort into the battle again there.

n Will you be voting on May 3? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk