EVERY council seat will be put to the vote for the first time in 25 years on June 10.
A record 267 candidates have put their names forward to contest the council's 20 wards.
With none of the three mainstream parties holding a majority in the council chamber, each is confident of snatching outright control.
Every person on the electoral roll will receive three votes, with the top three candidates in each ward being elected to the council chamber -- making 60 councillors in total.
The election, which will be held by a postal vote, will run simultaneously with the European elections to choose nine North-west MEPs.
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour will stand three candidates in all council wards.
Minority groups, such as the Green Party, Socialist Labour Party, the United Kingdom Independence Party and rebel Labour MP George Galloway's left-wing respect coalition are also putting up a handful of candidates.
Two independents are also standing.
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