Council election night looms in less than three weeks for people in many parts of East and West Sussex.

The polls open on May 2 and candidates will be hoping to tip the balance of power or hang on to their seats.

Political battles will take place in Adur, Worthing, Hastings, Eastbourne and Crawley.

Hastings is the only ward where all seats are being contested.

In Eastbourne, familiar faces will take to the political stage to thrash it out. In the town's Sovereign ward, Linus Gunning stands for the first time as an independent after quitting as a Labour activist last month.

In Hastings, two well-known figures who are not standing for re-election this year are mayor Jackie Dowling and her partner, former East Sussex County Council chairman Richard Stevens.

After distinguishing themselves in local politics for more than 20 years, the couple have decided to stand aside.

Some light relief will be provided at the polls by "Lord" Brett McLean, who stands as the Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party contender for West St Leonards ward.

In the early Nineties, Mr McLean became the youngest councillor in England, aged 21, when he won a borough council seat as a Lib Dem.

In Crawley, Councillor Dennis Wallis, who denied allegations he lied to a housing officer about not having anywhere to live, is not up for re-election and boundary reviews could mean elections may be called again.

Jubilant Tories celebrated their victory at the last local election in Worthing in May 2000.

They tightened their grip after gaining power with a majority of four.

The new political shape of the 36-seat Worthing Borough Council stood at Conservative 20 and Liberal Democrats 16.

A total of 14 seats had been up for grabs with the Conservatives winning eight to the Lib Dems' six.

The resignation of two Conservative councillors in Marine and Castle wards and the decision by former Tory mayor Geraldine Lissenburg to join the Lib Dems in April had resulted in a hung council. Each party held 17 seats.

However, after regaining two seats in the by-elections the Tories went on to snatch a Lib Dem seat in Castle ward to give themselves 20 seats overall.

The result consolidated the Conservatives' presence in the town following their surprise victory the year before when they swept the Lib Dems from power with a majority of three.

Conservative leader Tim Dice celebrated the victory and pledged his group would continue to do everything it could for the town.

The last local election was not all bad for the Lib Dems, with the return of popular councillors Sheila Player and Peter Green, who both lost their seats a year before.

Former mayor Brian McLuskie retained his Broadwater seat and Councillor Maurice Tucker was voted back to Central ward.

Conservative mayor-elect Ann Lynn was voted back in Salvington and Councillor Steve Waight retained Goring.