O WATERVILLE: Gavin Elsey (Conservative)
Gavin Elsey, of Fraserburgh Way, Orton Southgate, runs Alchemy Marketing, and has lived in the area for 39 years.

A former Bushfield Community College and Orton Longueville School pupil, Mr Elsey's "claim to fame" is being the first ever barman employed at the Chequers pub, in Orton Wistow, in the mid-'80s.

He said: "I am looking forward to the day when our united efforts restore pride in the area and we live with community spirit at the heart of our actions.

"It has been like this before. Growing up in the area as a teenager, Bushfield and the Orton Centre were relatively new, and I was proud to live here.

"There was a feel-good factor associated with living in this area, without class distinction, race or religious division, and there was a collaborative community spirit and pride in the area.

"I firmly believe that we can regain the feelgood factor. I will need your support to bring about the changes we would all like to see."

O WATERVILLE: David Weaver (Labour)
Graphic designer David Weaver has lived in the Ortons for 30 years and is a parish councillor for Orton Longueville.

Mr Weaver, of Bathhurst, Orton Goldhay, fought unsuccessful election campaigns in Orton Waterville in 2006 and 2007.

He said: "If elected, my priorities will be to tackle the problems that we all face living in the Ortons – crime, anti-social behaviour, parking, public transport and environmental issues.

"The city council has a poor record in Orton Waterville of maintaining public areas to the standard that we all want.

"This Tory council also has an abysmal track record on its handling of the Orton Centre re-build, and I believe that the people of Orton Waterville deserve better representation at the town hall.

"I believe in improving the environment for everyone and will campaign tirelessly to raise the standards of public services in this ward.

"Living in the Ortons, I will be accessible at all times to provide support and to give a voice the views of local people."

O WATERVILLE: John Crane (Lib Dem)
After six years as a city councillor, John Crane lost his Orton Waterville seat in May 2007.

Mr Crane, of The Gannocks, Orton Waterville, is a Samaritan and a volunteer for the British Heart Foundation and the Huntington's Disease Association.

He said: "When re-elected, I will, as before, proudly serve my constituents by putting their interests before those of my party and council.

"Local politics is about local issues, not national ones, and I would ask you to put your trust in me.

"I will carry out my council responsibilities diligently and impartially, to the best of my ability, and my previous record of attendance is second to none.

"Please support me, your local candidate, by voting on local, not national, issues, and I look forward to serving you from May 1.

"My intention is to try to speak to you all personally before then, so you can form your own opinion of me, so I apologise in advance to those who I will unfortunately not meet."

Full coverage: Peterborough City Council elections 2008 - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/election2008