South Portslade should be a safe Labour seat - but the Conservatives are not far behind.

Sue John is deputy council leader and Les Hamilton, chairman of the planning sub-committee, was Mayor of Hove and goes back to the days of the old Portslade Council.

Both are familiar faces in the ward and have been working hard to keep their seats.

The Labour councillors have secured a new community centre for the area and hope to tackle the growing parking problem during the next term.

Steve Collier left the Labour Party in September 2002 and stood as an Independent in the 2003 election.

He polled well and his absence this time could make life easier for the two sitting Labour councillors.

The Tories are likely to put up the biggest fight and are fielding Steve Harmer-Strange and Peter Lockyer.

The Lib Dems and Greens do not see this as a key ward but both have candidates standing.

Kate Chapman and Steve Watson are standing for the Greens and Ken Rist and Peter Denyer are the Lib Dem candidates.