THE war of words has begun as Newton and Golborne get ready for the General Election on May 5.

The dissolution of Parliament was announced by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on Tuesday, leaving voters facing four weeks of election campaigning.

In Newton, Dave Watts, MP for St Helens North, defends a 15,901 majority for Labour.

Mr Watts was elected to the seat in 1997 and secured his constituency with a 61.1 per cent majority in 2001.

Meanwhile, in Golborne, Labour party chairman Ian McCartney will defend a 17,750 majority.

The Ashton-in-Makerfield candidate, who has held the seat in the Labour strong hold since 1987, had 68.5 per cent of the votes in 2001.

And in nearby Lowton, Andy Burham hopes to secure the Leigh constituency for a third term.

The Labour candidate won with a majority of 64.5 per cent in 2001.

He is widely known as an active campaigner for the regeneration of the area's industry and traditional coalfield community.

For more on the election campaign, read the Newton and Golborne Guardian in the run up to May 5.

To put a question to the candidates, write to reporter Becky Kelly at The Academy, 138 Bridge Street, Warrington, WA1 2RU, or e-mail beckykelly@guardiangrp.co.uk