THE outcome of Thursday's election will be pivotal for the Liberal Democrats, with the party desperate to hold on to its Walton seats.

Because former Walton councillor David Vellam stepped down last autumn and Cllr Nick Sandford has come to the end of his four-year term, both seats are up for election.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Sandford is seeking re-election, while his party colleague Rohan Wilson is hoping to step into Mr Vellam's shoes.

If they both fail to get elected and the Liberal Democrats do not make gains elsewhere, the party will be down to just two councillors.

The Conservative duo of Charles Day and John Johnson are confident they can turn Walton blue, while Labour's Marianne Walker will look to make inroads for Labour.

In Orton with Hampton, the winning candidate will replace Cllr David Thorpe who is stepping down after 12 years.

Tory candidate David Seaton is the favourite to win the seat, but he will face competition from Arthur Ashman (UK Independence Party), Saima Husain (Green), Karen Peet (Liberal) and Mary Rainey (Labour).

Arthur Ashman, the UK Independence Party candidate for Orton with Hampton, was unable to provide information or a photograph to The Evening Telegraph, while Marianne Walker, who is standing for Labour for Walton, did not provide a photograph.

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