THE political landscape of Greater Manchester could face major changes - with the congestion charge a key election issue next month.

All 10 of the region's councils will be going to the polls on May 1, with one third of seats up for grabs.

Two of the most high-profile supporters of the charge - and the £3bn of public transport improvements it would unlock - are defending their seats.

In Salford, Roger Jones, chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, faces a major challenge in his Irlam ward - which Labour won by 157 votes last year.

Rick Houlton is standing for the Community Action Party on a campaign that has focused on Mr Jones' leading role in the cash-for-charging bid.

In Manchester, council leader Sir Richard Leese - another leading congestion charge voice - faces a four-fold challenge from the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, the Greens and UKIP's Bob Willescroft.

The Greens have candidates in all 32 wards in the city for the first time.

The Lib Dems will be looking to stabilise after a period of decline, targeting Chorlton and Northenden as potential gains.

Dominance

Labour hope to consolidate their dominance by picking up Longsight and Whalley Range.

The Conservatives are again putting major efforts into a breakthrough in the city centre, where high-profile candidate Rob Adlard - a freelance violinist with the Halle - is up again.

They have also launched a push in Whalley Range after the defection of former Lib Dem councillor Faraz Bhatti gave them their first voice in the town hall for nearly a decade.

UKIP have three candidates, as do the BNP, while Respect and the Left List have two apiece. Lynn Worthington, of the Socialist Alliance, is standing in Baguley.

In Tameside, Labour and the Conservatives will go head-to-head for all 19 seats. The Greens are standing in 10 wards, the BNP eight, the Lib Dems six. There is also one independent.

Bolton, which has had recent clashes over the congestion charge, is seen as a `weather vane' council. Currently, Labour has 26 of the 60 seats, with the Conservatives on 22 and the Lib Dems on 11. One seat is independent.

The town could prove vital in whether Greater Manchester gets the charge, even if its bid for transport money is accepted by the government.

Under current rules, seven of the 10 councils would have to sign up - and Trafford, Stockport and Bury are all opposed.

Bolton has promised to hold a referendum, but the political make-up of the council after May 1 could be vital in how the result of that poll is used.

In Rochdale, the Lib Dems will hope Gordon Brown's relatively poor showing in the national polls helps them build on their council majority of just two.

The Conservatives and Labour - whose leader Allen Brett is standing down - will aim to push them close.

Full candidate lists will be published by each council at noon today.

The deadline for applying for a new postal vote, or to change or cancel an existing postal or proxy vote, is April 16.

That is the last date for applying to be on this year's register of electors.

Full details from the local elections will be published in the later editions of the M.E.N. on May 2 and online.