Which direction could Swindon's election take in May?

As Swindon's famous Magic Roundabout has many possible directions - so do the local elections in May.

It is the biggest election ever held for Swindon Borough Council, with a record 239 candidates standing. Those who win the ballot will help to run the authority for the next four years.

Yet experts predict how people vote will be mainly influenced by national, not local issues, with many looking for change.

Economically, the numbers suggest Swindon is doing better than most places.

In recent years it has seen significant growth, boosted recently by several drone-makers setting up plants.

But that does little to relieve the financial pressures facing the council.

The lion's share of its budget is spent on social services – child protection and adult social care. Demand for both has grown, and, say officials, funding has not kept pace.

That means there is less money for the things residents are more focused on.

Many mention potholes, and the state of the town centre.

But it is wider issues which people particularly talk about – with the cost of living and immigration big concerns.

Even though these are not council matters, parties are bringing them up.

Most also hope to remind voters of the government's troubles, with opinion polls suggesting Labour are struggling.

The Tories are also under pressure, as voters increasingly turn away from the two main parties.

"It's not unusual for governments to be in electoral trouble in mid-term but not in this much electoral trouble," says election expert Professor Sir John Curtice.

"Above all we've never had a situation where between them Labour and the Conservatives command the support of less than two in five of the electorate."

In a town which for decades has swung back and forth between the reds and the blues, that could mean big change on May 7.

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