Labour will be fielding candidates in every Halton ward at next week's council elections.

Voters head to the polls on Thursday, May 2 where they can choose candidates from six parties - Liberal Democrats, Labour, Greens, The Liberal Party, Conservatives and Reform UK - as well as a number of independents. A total of 18 seats - a third of all seats on the council, are being contested.

The council is currently Labour-dominated, with the party having 49 councillors, with the Lib Dems having three and the Conservatives two.

Among Labour's 18 candidates is Mike Wharton in the Ditton, Hale Village & Halebank Ward in Widnes. The current council leader, he has been a councillor for more than 22 years and has been the treasurer for Hale Youth Centre for nearly 25 years.

Stef Nelson is standing in the Bridgewater Ward in Runcorn. He has been a local councillor for more than 22 years and is currently Executive Board Member for Environment and Urban Renewal. He also represents the council on Cheshire Fire Authority and last year became its chairman.

Labour’s candidate for Halton Lea Ward in Runcorn is Kath Loftus. She has been a councillor for 32 years and is a former Mayor of Halton and a school governor. She is a director of Ella Together, a community body that also runs Brookvale Community Centre.

In the Highfield Ward in Widnes, Andrea Wall is the Labour candidate. She said: "I became a councillor as I wanted to make a positive difference and I hope the people of the Highfield ward feel that I have done that. Over the years I have helped thousands of local people with issues that they have raised. My reasons for wanting to continue haven’t changed since I was first elected nine years ago.

"I firmly believe in the value of communities and every day I strive to make a positive difference. I believe in working hard for my ward. I am born and bred in Widnes and I love our area."

A full list of candidates and their respective wards can be found here.

Voters will be required to show photo ID when they head to the polling station. Acceptable forms of photo ID include: UK-issued passport or driving licence, bus pass, blue badge, PASS proof of age card. A full list can be found here.