CONSERVATIVE-CONTROLLED West Lancashire District council will see 19 of its wards host elections on Thursday.

The Conservatives have been in control for six years and are confident of keeping a tight grip on the mostly rural district.

Skelmersdale, the area’s main town, is home to most of the 19 Labour councillors.

With 33 seats, the Conservatives say one of their priorities is the last remaining Burscough seat they do not already hold.

Candidate Jason Grice will be trying to unseat Labour’s Cllr Cynthia Dereli in Burscough West.

Elsewhere, they are targeting the outskirts of Skelmersdale with the hope of making inroads there.

Conservative leader Geoff Roberts says his campaign hinges on the issues of regenerating Skelmersdale and the controversial plans to build new council offices on a vacant industrial site in Ormskirk.

Cllr Roberts, who has led the West Lancs Conservatives for 10 years, said: “We have come a long way in the last six years, from a mediocre authority to an excellent one.

“Now we’re battling with reduced finances from central government, our policies are to maintain and improve services, if possible under the new regime.

“We’ll also try to keep council tax at or below inflation.”

Labour leader Terry Rice was unavailable for comment last night.

UKIP, the Greens and a number of independent candidates are also standing.