COUNCIL tax and local services could be major factors influencing the votes when Walcot residents go to the polls tomorrow.

The by-election was caused by the resignation of Conservative councillor Laura Holiday but the ward's other seat is held by Labour and the vote is likely to be close.

Six candidates are contesting the election from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, the UK Independence Party and the Green Party, as well as one independent.

In Walcot council tax levels, local services and litter were just some of the issues concerning residents.

John Timmis, 61, of Upham Road, said: "The level of council tax and what we actually get for what we are paying is an issue.

"The town centre needs to be revamped and brought into the 21st century because the town is bigger and it needs more amenities for people of all ages."

Mr Timmis, a manager with a facilities company, was also disappointed because Laura Holiday left the area, reportedly to move to Malta.

"I will be voting Labour," he said. "I voted Tory last time and she promptly left so that doesn't give me much confidence."

John Winter, 67, of Parklands Road, will be voting Conservative.

"The big issue is of course the council tax rises," he said.

"We are pensioners on a fixed income and our standard of living is going down because the council tax in the last three years has gone up 42 per cent. We are losing out.

"At least Mike Bawden (council leader) is trying to get a reasonable level of council tax increase. That has got to be to our benefit.

"We know there is going to be service cuts but that is the Government's fault."

Mr Winter was also concerned about vandals, litter and dog fouling.

His wife Pam, 60, said she was also concerned about burglaries in the area and plans to vote Liberal Democrat.

Pat Hocking, 72, also of Parklands Road, agreed that council tax was a problem but thought none of the parties could solve that.

She said she is a traditional Conservative voter but this time round is still undecided.

"I desperately wanted the Tories to get in last time and they did but nothing changed," she said. "They are no different. They all talk about what is going to happen but nothing gets done."

Nicola Henly, 37, of Walcot Road, is going to vote Labour and could not identify many problems in the area.

"It is quite nice here," she said. "I expected more litter when I moved here but Swindon as a whole is quite clean. It is quite a nice place to live.

"I will probably vote Labour. They are the only ones with a clear direction."

In the last election in Walcot, in June Mavis Childs was elected for Labour with 745 votes. The Conservative candidate polled 601, the Lib Dem 307 and the Green 128.

Laura Holiday was elected in 2003.

What they say

Tony Hillier, Independent

Thinks people are fed up with poor services. As an Independent councillor he will be able to express frankly what Walcot people say they need

Andrew James, Conservative

Feels crime, education and council tax are big issues and supports the work the Conservative administration is doing to keep council tax rises down

Peter Mallinson, Labour

The issues are tackling anti-social behaviour, traffic, keeping Walcot litter-free, making sure the council housing standard is improved and dealing with drug abuse

Michael Morton, UK Independence Party

Central Government has had its power taken away from it by Europe which reduces the amount of money that can be spent in the town

Nicky Sewell, Liberal Democrat

Highlights council tax, cuts to social services and street safety as important issues and says Walcot has been let down by Labour and the Conservatives

Simon Smith, Green Party

The Greens have a focus on people and on where they live. If they want the borough council to represent them they should vote Green.

Isabel Field