ROGER Joseph Everest (Independent Euro Conservative), of Glamorgan, South Wales, is married to Carmel and has four children.

"Coming from outside the area I think I could bring some fresh ideas to Eddisbury. My first impression is that it is very rural and there is lots of dairy farming. Therefore, I think we should bring back free milk to primary schools.

"Another thing I have noticed is that the road system is ill-organised. But my principal platform is the Euro. It's a great thing and it's in Britian's interest to join."

ALAN Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony), lives in Ashburton, Devon. He is aged 57, married, with four children and eight grandchildren.

"I've been to Eddisbury and a lot of people have asked me what I think about fox-hunting. I'm pretty open-minded about it but I think they should go hunting for the invisible Cheshire cat rather than the fox.

"Eddisbury is also a big agricultural area and BSE means two things - Best Steaks Ever and B***dy Silly European.

"One thing is for sure, I would bring some fun to Eddisbury."

PAUL Roberts (Liberal Democrat) is aged 52. He has been married to Vera for 30 years and has two children. He lives and works in the Eddisbury constituency and is a councillor for Farndon.

"During my election campaign I have found that there's concern about the lack of policing in the area, poor health services and the fact that Cheshire gets a bad deal when it comes to education.

"I will also be working very hard to support RAMP, an organisation which is protesting about plans to store industrial waste in the Rock Salt Mine."

DINAH Grice (Natural Law), is aged 71 and from Skelmersdale.

"Everything that the Natural Law Party stands for has already been backed by scientific research. We could have a 20 per cent reduction in crime, we've found that student IQs increase with techniques we have and allow for full brain development. We could also reduce taxes.

"Issues we are against include British overseas arm sales and the European currency."

STEPHEN O'Brien (Conservative), of Sussex, has promised to move to the constituency if he wins the election. He is 42, married to Gemma and has three children.

"We have been meeting and, above all, listening to people in all areas of the constituency.

"The issue which is really on people's minds is that they feel they have been let down by this Labour Government. They do not think it is delivering on education and health."

MARGARET Hanson (Labour), aged 37, lives in Flint with her husband David and three children. She is a former pupil of Woodford Lodge High School.

"The latest independent polls put Labour and the Conservatives neck and neck in the by-election. The message we are sending out is that people must vote for Labour to ensure they don't get a Conservative MP.

"This by-election is about bread and butter issues for Labour - low inflation, low mortgages, improvements to education and rural transport. I am also passionate in my opposition to hunting with dogs."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.