Core messages in voting countdown

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Welsh political parties are pushing their key messages in final campaigning for Thursday's local elections.

Lib Dems stressed their green policies and public services record, and Labour promised excellent services and action on crime and anti-social behaviour.

Welsh Conservatives pledged "safer, cleaner, green communities" and "quality of life".

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru promised "practical, sustainable" ways to tackle ill health and climate change.

All 22 county councils will be up for re-election on Thursday, along with town and community councils. The Liberal Democrats have got a proven track record Mike German AM, Lib Dem

Welsh Liberal Democrats lead four councils - Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea and Wrexham, and leader Mike German predicted they would "gain seats around Wales" and said Labour's vote was "very weak at the moment".

"That could result in them losing a number of councils in Wales, from overall majority to under a majority, and in turn losing their leadership of the Welsh Local Government Association: in fact, I think that's more likely than unlikely," Mr German said.

Mr German said: "If you want the security of a council and a councillor who will make sure that we do our bit for the green agenda... safer communities where we will do our bit to make sure that we invest in those frontline services which mean that people will feel safer... an efficient and effective council which will keep council tax rates of increase as low as we possibly can, yet invest in frontline services, then the Liberal Democrats have got a proven track record."

'State of the art'

The current four Lib Dem councils were Labour four years ago and the latter has mounted an aggressive campaign to return to power.

Labour is also fighting to keep control of authorities such as Newport, Flintshire and Caerphilly and claimed Lib Dem councils would "cost you dear".

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy portrayed a vision of two alternative futures. You can have a Liberal council, often in cahoots with the Tories and nationalists, but it will cost you dear Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy MP, Labour

"You can have a Liberal council, often in cahoots with the Tories and nationalists, but it will cost you dear," he said.

"You will be paying for more incompetence, chaos and cuts. Or you can choose Labour. Getting results, delivering on your priorities," Mr Murphy added.

He promised "tough action" on anti-social behaviour, improved public services, "state of the art" facilities for older people and more recycling.

Change

Conservatives hope to build on a level of support which has been rising at assembly and UK elections for nearly a decade.

The party leadership has admitted that, although Tory fortunes have improved in assembly and general elections, it has been weak in local government in Wales.

Tory local government spokesman Nick Ramsay stressed a "record number of candidates" this time round. Local people and local communities expect their council to deliver good services and value for money Nick Ramsay AM, Conservative

"We are fighting more seats in more parts of Wales and aim to build on the successes we have enjoyed at previous elections in Wales, where we have won more votes and more seats in every national contest since 1999," he said.

"Local people and local communities expect their council to deliver good services and value for money.

"They want to live in safer, cleaner, greener communities. They expect local authorities to keep council tax bills to reasonable levels and to help improve their quality of life.

"All too often this is not the experience of many people across Wales - which is why it is so important people vote on Thursday so people can get the change they really want," Mr Ramsay added.

The party must expect to keep control of Monmouthshire and take overall control in the Vale of Glamorgan and to regain a much stronger foothold across Welsh local government than the one it has had in the recent past.

'Ambitious message'

A key Plaid Cymru campaign theme has been to offer "innovation" in local government. We will not sit back and adopt the 'business as usual' approach of many incumbent councils Helen Mary Jones AM, Plaid Cymru

Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones said the party wanted to "transform communities across the nation".

"We will not sit back and adopt the 'business as usual' approach of many incumbent councils," she said.

"Plaid is offering a programme for local government that addresses two of our biggest challenges - chronic ill health and climate change.

"Our policies offer practical, sustainable and healthy ways in which changes can be made," Ms Jones added.

Plaid controls Gwynedd Council and is also involved in running authorities in Conwy, Denbighshire and the Vale of Glamorgan where no single party has an overall majority.

Ms Jones predicted that, as the party "who will always put the interests of the people of Wales first" it would do well on 1 May.

"We are confident that the people of Wales have taken our ambitious message on board, and that this will be reflected in the vote on Thursday," she said.

As well as the four main parties, there are many independents and representatives of other groups standing. Full details can be found in links to council websites alongside.