Report by

MHARI KELLY

AS decision day draws nearer in Eddisbury, the by-election battle is hotting up.

The Conservatives have been out and about canvassing on the streets of Winsford and Northwich.

Labour has drafted in Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Chancellor Gordon Brown and Health Secretary Frank Dobson to visit Eddisbury and help win some votes.

And the Liberal Democrats met up with Moulton residents on Monday night to discuss concerns over Minosus' plans to dump industrial waste in Winsford Salt Mine.

The by-election, sparked by Tory MP Sir Alastair Goodlad's appointment as High Commissioner for Australia, will take place on July 22.

And Labour candidate Margaret Hanson is confident it will be a day to remember for her party.

Last Thursday she was in Winsford as part of her election campaign.

She said: "I am fighting to win. I launched my campaign last Monday by visiting my old school - Woodford Lodge. I lived here throughout my childhood, I went to junior and secondary school here before going to study at Oxford University for my degree.

"I met my husband here, had my children in the local hospital and I fought the general election here in 1997. I was the Mayor of Northwich and a local councillor in the Vale Royal District.

"I know this constituency and I know its people."

Mrs Hanson will be up against Tory candidate Stephen O' Brien, a 42-year-old father of three from Chichester and Paul Roberts, 51, a local councillor in Farndon who stood for Parliament in 1992 and for the European Parliament in 1979.

The other candidates include: Roger Joseph Everest (Independent Euro Conservative), Dinah Grice (Natural Law Party) and Alan (known as "Howling Laud) Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party).

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