THE LABOUR stronghold of Macclesfield Central could be under threat from an unlikely source in this year's elections, as the Greens are mounting a serious challenge, according to their leader.

The environmentally friendly party are looking to improve on the gains they made in last year's ballot - where Labour leader Richard Watson won a seat with 462 votes.

With the biggest electorate in Macclesfield, the 5,580 residents of the centre of town will be making their minds up over local questions that have an international feel about them. As carbon footprints and talk of global warming dominate the world's media, the same issues are being raised in Central Ward.

Green leader, Lindy Brett, said: "We made a lot of ground in last year's elections and we want to build on that - hopefully the people of Macclesfield will realise the pressing green issues in front of them."

The Greens have clinical psychologist Dougal Hare of Great King Street standing for them. He wants to address parking, litter, and the proposed development of the town centre.

He said: "I will use my council powers to improve neighbourhoods and enhance local services, promoting health and protecting the wider community."

Mum-of-two Coun Janet Jackson, who has served as ward councillor for 16 years, will be standing again - and will be championing green issues.

The Macclesfield Civic Society member is the environment spokeswoman for Labour in the borough and has been at the forefront of raising ecological concerns for many years.

The Conservative candidate, Gillian Stratford, of Willow Way, Prestbury, stood in last year's ballot missing out by 129 votes - at time of going to press she had not submitted any material to the Express.