The campaigning is coming to a climax with two weeks to go to the Trafford Council local elections.

One third of the seats in the council chamber are available upon the opening of the polls on May 2.

The Labour Group is in control of the council, and it is at its largest since the creation of the council half a century ago, but there is competition from the Conservative Group (10 seats), Green Group (six seats) and Liberal Democrats (six seats) as well as other parties with no seats like Reform UK and a number of independents.

Here are some of the wards to watch in two weeks.

BOWDON WARD
Bowdon Ward is a target for a Green Group which is on the charge after it went from four seats to six seats in the council chamber last year.

Its candidates put some pressure on the Conservative Group last year and one of them, Bridget Green, is back for another attempt this year.

BROADHEATH WARD
Broadheath Ward is the only one in the council chamber where the seats are shared between the Conservative Group and the Labour Group.

The seat up for election is that of a Conservative Group councillor, Kaushik Chakraborty, who won it by a margin of less than 20 votes over the closest candidate last year. It looks likely to be a target for the Labour Group as a result.

HALE BARNS AND TIMPERLEY SOUTH WARD
Hale Barns and Timperley South Ward is a target for the Lib Dems who, like the Green Group, went to six seats in the council chamber last year.

Its candidates put some pressure on the Conservative Group last year and one of them, Marc Ramsbottom, is back for another attempt this year.

MANOR WARD
Manor Ward has three Conservative Group councillors at the moment but all of the Labour Group candidates received more than 1,000 votes last year.

The seat up for election is that of a Conservative Group councillor, Rupali Paul, who won it by a margin of less than a hundred votes over the closest candidate last year. It looks likely to be another target for the Labour Group as a result.

STRETFORD AND HUMPHREY PARK WARD
Stretford and Humphrey Park Ward is a safe seat for the Labour Group but, importantly, the seat up for election is that of the Trafford Council leader Tom Ross.

It would take a lot for him to lose it but the Conservative Group are fielding someone strong in the form of former councillor and Mayor of Trafford Chris Boyes.

The Trafford Council local elections are the same day as the Greater Manchester mayoral elections, when Andy Burnham is to take on Laura Evans (Conservative), Jake Austin (Lib Dem), Hannah Spencer (Green), Dan Barker (Reform UK) and Nick Buckley (Independent) or the role he has held for two terms already.

For information go to trafford.gov.uk/elections. 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.