The elections in Worthing this year are generally regarded as a skirmish before the major campaign scheduled for next spring.

On May 1, only one third of the council seats are up for grabs and the Liberal Democrats are confident of holding on to their slim majority, despite a concerted push for power from the Conservatives.

But next year, the stakes will be much higher when the entire council is up for re-election.

At present, the balance of power is split 19-17 in favour of the Lib Dems but seven serving councillors have decided to step down so there will be some new faces in the town hall.

The councillors' calling it a day collectively represent almost 100 years of service. They are Lib Dems Peter Bennett, Bob Clare and Chris Sargent and Conservatives Andrew Garrett, David King, Brian Lynn and Jason Smith.

Coun Clare, a former mayor who, as Father of the Chamber, chalked up 28 years as a councillor, became disillusioned with the new Cabinet-style system of local government which left decision-making in the hands of an inner clique of councillors.

He said: "I am not sad to be going. I leave a council that in structure, business and modus operandi is a foreign land to me. I don't understand why it was changed."

Coun Bennett, with 24 years under his belt, is also a former mayor, as is Coun Lynn, ex-leader of the Tories, now fronted by councillor Steven Waight.

The Lib Dems swept to power last May on a Clean and Safe Worthing ticket and, so far, have been as good as their word.

They stepped up the eradication of graffiti in the borough and the results have sparked widespread commendation, although the fight against litter has been less successful.

The Lib Dems were severely criticised for freezing seafront improvements, something the Tories hope to capitalise on.

The Conservatives are also planning to focus on the derelict Teville Gate shopping precinct, the poor state of the main leisure centre in Shaftesbury Avenue and the Aquarena swimming pool, Brighton Road.

The Lib Dems have vowed to spend £200,000 upgrading the leisure centre and £50,000 on the Aquarena but critics argue these are just short-term solutions.

Sheila Player, leader of the Lib Dems, said her party was targeting four wards, Gaisford, Castle, Heene and Salvington, all held by Tories.

She said: "We intend to carry on with our Clean and Safe Worthing campaign, which we have barely started. When we get the place really clean, safe and looking good, then we can encourage business to come to Worthing to make it a more profitable place."

"We are also working towards the replacement of the Aquarena, having ring-fenced £2 million towards it.

Coun Waight said: "People have got two main concerns about the town. The first is they see things as declining and continuing to go downhill.

"The second is other towns seem to have far better facilities than we have in Worthing in terms of cinemas, swimming pools and sports facilities."

The Tories wanted to reinstate the seafront improvements budget, push for a multi-screen cinema at Teville Gate and ensure the new housing estate at West Durrington has more leisure facilities close by.

The Green Party is fielding a number of candidates who are campaigning on issues including more transparency in council expenditure, a zero waste strategy with extended kerbside recycling, more cycle lanes, a crackdown on vandalism and cleaner seawater and beaches.

The Greens also support a South Downs National Park, including Titnore Woods and Findon Gallops, but oppose the development of a new housing estate at West Durrington.

They are also against mobile phone masts in residential areas and road-building.

The Labour Party is putting up an arguably weaker field than usual, surprising the other parties ranged against it but its platform includes housing for Teville Gate.

CANDIDATES FOR MAY 2003
There are 38 candidates fighting for 13 seats, including a by-election for a second seat in Heene ward. (Key: C Conservative; G Green; L Labour; LD Liberal Democrat)

Broadwater (1 seat): Derek Colkett (G), Geraldine Lissenburg (LD), Heather Mercer (C).

Castle (1): Claire Potter (LD), John Rogers (C).

Central (1): Martin Coppard (C), Geoffrey Hart (LD), Alice-Amanda Hinton (G), Brian Gill (L).

Durrington (1): John Dwyer (G), Nick Rodgers (LD), Alan Whiteley (C).

Gaisford (1): Marie Hillcoat (G&Peace), Antony Price (LD), George Stephens (C).

Goring (1): Brian Stephenson (LD), Peter Welch (C).

Heene (2, including by-election): Tim Dice (C), Paul High (C), Alan Jones (LD), Heather Rogers (G), Kevin Skepper (LD).

Marine (1): Peter Barnes (L), Lucielle Colkett (G), Peter Medcalf (LD), Thomas Wye (C).

Offington (1): Rosemary Hook (G), Mark McCarthy (C), David Moynan (LD).

Salvington (1): Jacqueline Marsh (C), Mark O'Keeffe (LD).

Selden (1): Christine Brown (LD), Jack Saheid (C), Dave Yates (G).

Tarring (1): Gavin Clark (C), Benjamin Colkett (G), John Lovell (LD), Ian Sandell (L).