LABOUR will be challenged hard across Torfaen on May 1 in a council election with more candidates and fewer uncontested seats than the previous poll.

On polling day 92 candidates will fight for 44 council seats, compared to 84 candidates in 2004.

Only one ward is uncontested this year, compared to five in 2004.

One possible reason for the increase in candidates could be a series of unpopular council decisions.

Two wards of particular interest will be Blaenavon and New Inn.

In Blaenavon, the closure of the swimming pool and leisure centre will be fresh in the memory of many voters.

The closure last year sparked angry protests and a campaign was launched to save it.

Voters there are unlikely to be symapthetic to Labour.

Likewise in New Inn a controversial decision to give planning permission to a huge waste treatment plant caused dismay to hundreds of residents, who felt their concerns were ignored.

Controversial school closures in Pentwyn and Trevethin will also be remembered.

But a lot has been achieved in the last four years in Torfaen.

The council and Gwent police have worked together to successfully reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, with designated non-drinking zones and dispersal orders used in trouble spots throughout the county.

The council recently transferred its housing stock to housing association Bron Afon, a move that will allow the homes to be brought up to the Welsh housing quality standard by 2012.

Although school reorganisation proved controversial, the council said the changes will allow it to invest more in education.

Pontypool and Cwmbran have both seen major redevelopment in the last four years, with more schemes on the way.

And the council is in the top 25 per cent of Welsh authorities for its recycling performance.

Torfaen's recycling rate is currently 37 per cent - just three per cent short of the Welsh Assembly's 2009-10 target.