In Leasowe

Now Labour have chosen Anne McArdle - a well-known Labour party activist and former candidate in Wallasey, who said she was pleased to be chosen and admitted there was a "huge challenge" in the ward.

She said: "It's quite a unique place. There has been a lot of exciting developments there and I've been involved in the community for many years.

"The Tories have made considerable gains there but I'm prepared to put the work.
"It will be a hard fight but one that I relish. It will be interesting to see how things unfold."

Among those Anne McArdle will be taking on in the election is former Vauxhall worker and Tory candidate Steve Smith who was selected in what was believed to be Merseyside's first open primary to select a candidate for this year's local elections.

Mr Smith was chosen by an overwhelming majority in the American-style primary held by the Conservatives in Leasowe and Moreton East.

He defeated former Lib Dem councillor Oliver Adam in the landmark contest in which some 4,451 ballot papers were issued to voters in the ward, including Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens and other party supporters, plus many other people who had never voted before. A total of 930 ballot papers were returned by the deadline, giving a turnout of 21%.