Boundary alterations in 2003 failed to help Labour make significant gains in the ward and the Conservative councillors hold some of the biggest majorities in the city.

Despite a hard-working and tenacious Labour group in the area, it would be a major surprise if the Tories didn't retain their three seats.

Geoffrey and Carol Theobald - former East Sussex county councillors - and Brian Pidgeon are all viewed as hard-working.

Labour will be represented by Peggy Betts, Rosemary Collins and Christine Moody. The suburban ward includes much of Hollingbury, even though another electoral area has taken the name.

The biggest issue over the last four years has been plans to build a park-and-ride in Patcham.

The scheme was vigorously opposed by the local ward councillors, and later defeated.

But a new project to build a large office complex on the land is also causing some concern.

Horsdean's gipsy and traveller site has also proved controversial in the past but is being renovated so is not in use.

The Lib Dems are fielding FT journalist Tom Stokes, Bill Taylor and Peter Bailey.

The Greens are represented by Julia Wilde, Mike Sells and Geraldine Keenan, who have pledged to continue to fight any future plans for a park-and-ride scheme.