VOTING got underway today in a council by-election in Daubhill.

It follows the death of Labour councillor Dennis Barlow.

The Conservatives are hoping they can pull off an upset with their candidate Yakub Jiva.

A Tory victory would wipe out Labour's majority on Bolton Council.

Mr Jiva, aged 53, is fighting against Labour's Paul Fitzpatrick, aged 55, and Liberal Democrat candidate Linden Greensitt, aged 33. Labour currently have a majority of two seats on the council.

Polling stations remain open until 9pm and the votes will be counted tonight. allowing the party to hold power, but if the Conservatives win the by-election on November 21, Labour will lose the upper hand.

Mr Fitzpatrick, a former Bradshaw councillor until 1999, will fight a strong campaign.

The 55-year-old businessman has lived in Daubhill for 40 years and, as the proprietor of Eye to Eye Video, on St Helens Road, he is well known in the area.

Mr Greensitt, aged 33 and single, works for an accountant on Chorley New Road, Bolton, and also lives in Daubhill. He has stood as councillor for the Liberal Democrats on previous occasions.

The late Dennis Barlow won the seat for Labour in 1997 with 1,402 votes. The Conservatives polled, 332; the Liberal Democrats 182 and the Socialist Labour Party 120 votes.

VOTING got underway today in a council by-election in Daubhill.

It follows the death of Labour councillor Dennis Barlow.

The Conservatives are hoping they can pull off an upset with their candidate Yakub Jiva.

A Tory victory would wipe out Labour's majority on Bolton Council.

Mr Jiva, aged 53, is fighting against Labour's Paul Fitzpatrick, aged 55, and Liberal Democrat candidate Linden Greensitt, aged 33. Labour currently have a majority of two seats on the council.

Polling stations remain open until 9pm and the votes will be counted tonight.

The late Dennis Barlow won the seat for Labour in 1997 with 1,402 votes. The Conservatives polled, 332; the Liberal Democrats 182 and the Socialist Labour Party 120 votes.