REBEL Liberal Democrat councillors are set to challenge the leadership in a crucial vote in 10 days' time.

All the current officers in the Congleton borough group are expected to face opposition in the vote, due to be held on January 29.

The ballot and its date were agreed on at Thursday's emergency general meeting called by 13 members of the 32-strong Lib Dem group.

The group leader is Linda Short from Alsager, who stood down as borough council leader in the wake of an independent report into misconduct allegations against her.

Her deputy is John Turner, who is also the group treasurer, while Dorothy Flint is group secretary and whip.

The other official positions in the Lib Dem borough group are chairman, deputy chairman and press officer.

One of the councillors who called for the emergency meeting said that nominations were expected to be put forward for all the official positions.

"There are councillors who want to stand for all the official posts within the group," said the councillor, who did not wish to be named.

"Those councillors who called for the meeting want a change of style and outlook, which is also being demanded by the people of the borough."

Poltical consultant Ray Atkins from Stockport has been appoiinted as returning officer for the ballot to choose a new set of officers.

He has written to group members inviting them to submit nominations for the various positions, the deadline for which is midday today.

The ballot is due to take place at 8.30pm at Westfields, the borough council headquarters in Sandbach.

If there is an election for any of the positions candidates will be allowed to speak for a maximum of five minutes on the 29th to put their case to their fellow councillors.

The rebels are also calling for the group leader to serve for no more than four years, and for members of the borough regulatory committee to be restricted to two consecutive four-year terms.

The issues will be discussed at the group's annual meeting in March.