RAINBOW Hill was another seat where Labour scored a significant victory four years ago to help bump up its councillor ranks at County Hall.

Up until 2013 Conservative Allah Ditta, who remains a city councillor, seemed to defy gravity by holding on here, before finally losing his grip on it.

Councillor Paul Denham got 973 votes, enough to comfortably defeat his opposition party predecessor, who was on 595.

Cllr Denham is now Labour's spokesman for children and families at County Hall, a key opposition role.

Given the voter profile of this division, some voters may assume Labour will retain this comfortably, but it won't be a foregone conclusion.

Former veteran city councillor Francis Lankester, a familiar face on the election loop, is up for nomination here.

And UKIP's remarkable rise of four years ago was illustrated perfectly in Rainbow Hill - it came from nowhere to get 414 votes, coming in a respectable third.

Another familiar face among the candidates is UKIP's Dave Carney, who has tried to get elected before on the city council.

Another added complication is that there are no fewer than seven candidates here - including the chair of Worcester Green Party Marjory Bisset.

There's also a Lib Dem candidate, an independent Alex Rugg, who is a former Conservative, and a first-time candidate from the Women's Equality Party, Leisa Taylor.

Given the division's geography, issues like cuts to bus services have struck a powerful chord here, as does parking problems and congestion.

Likewise the reductions in youth services and children centre provision have been hot topics in Rainbow Hill, as well as burglaries in areas like Gillam Street.

But a lot goes on here - the division is also home to the KGV playing facilities, including the superb all-weather sports pitches.

It's a busy and challenging division to represent, and anything other than a Labour hold would be surprising.

But the Conservatives will be looking for a better response than last time and could get closer to Labour in the event of UKIP voters switching.

MARJORY BISSET (GREEN)

I will represent the residents of Rainbow Hill actively, seeking their views by knocking on doors year-round, and keeping in touch through regular newsletters.

I will tackle the problems that beset the local environment such as litter and broken pavements.

I will work to improve public transport and cycling and walking facilities, to ease traffic congestion in the centre of Worcester.

l want to see more transparency in local government, and more co-operation between the parties.

I believe we must not lose sight of the bigger picture – the need to act now to keep the worst effects of global warming and depletion of natural resources at bay.

I am a freelance copy-editor. In my spare time I like to cook, go walking and make music.

DAVID CARNEY (UKIP)

I pledge to work tirelessly on behalf of the residents, as and when required.

I currently work closely with local Ex-Service Personnel at the Veterans Breakfast Club and direct them to support via the Legion/SSAFA.

Issues at Worcester level, such as a failing hospital and social services need to be looked at to improve them dramatically.

Public transport needs to work more efficiently to benefit the city residents. At Rainbow Hill level, more needs to be done for social housing, employment opportunities and training.

Worcester News:

After conducting a mini-survey on traffic, I am also concerned for the safety of school children crossing busy roads such as Green Lane and Astwood Road. I can address these if you vote UKIP.

PAUL DENHAM (LABOUR)

TORY austerity has hit the most vulnerable hardest.

Residents without cars and unable to walk far cannot get to hospital, doctors or shops without taxis.

Those needing home care are getting 15 minute appointments and some needing more time are refused because it costs too much.

Worcester News: PAUL DENHAM: Labour Candidate for Rainbow Hill Division

Over 700 local children are in council care and children’s services are officially inadequate. Social workers are doing without meal breaks and working long hours to keep struggling services going.

There are plans to cut £2,235,000 from Hollymount, St Barnabas, Stanley Road, Bishop Perowne, Nunnery Wood High, Tudor Grange and Sixth Form College, which could mean 62 fewer teachers in our schools and colleges.

If re-elected, I will fight to reverse all these cuts because Rainbow Hill Division deserves better.

JON TAYLOR (LIB DEM)

Born in Worcester the son of a farming family I was raised in Spetchley. I now a live in the Lansdowne area of the city.

I began a career in care work earning a DipHE in Mental Health Nursing through UCW.

I am a Worcester Warriors fan and follow our cricket, football and basketball city teams.

Worcester News:

A Liberal Democrat since my mid-teens I am pleased to be representing the party in the Worcestershire County Council elections.

I am proud of our city and the opportunities it has to offer. I hope to be able to work with local communities within the Rainbow Hill division so that together we can build a better future.

FRANCIS LANKESTER (CONSERVATIVE)

I am a historian and archaeologist and was a teacher for 30 years, doing supply teaching in all Worcester's secondary schools.

I played a leading part in championing the improvements to KGV community and sports facilities. It was an amazing experience to speak at the official opening in front of thousands of people.

I'm very happy that so many Rainbow Hill area residents have benefited from the park since then.

Worcester News: TORY: Councillor Francis Lankester, who will contest the Rainbow Hill ward at May's city council elections.

I always enjoyed the November fireworks display along with so many people and am upset it was cancelled last year.

I am working with a group of concerned local residents to bring it back and am confident we can succeed.

I edit and deliver IN TOUCH-the only all-year-round local newsletter.

I promise to work hard dealing with local issues and to report back to you regularly. Unlike others who get elected and then are invisible, you won't hear from me just at election time.

ALEX RUGG (INDEPENDENT)

Alex Rugg. A resident of 35 years. He looks forward to helping the county grow as the best place to live, study, work, do business and visit.

Keen to see the construction of a permanent football stadium for Worcester, a road traffic safety study of the Brickfields railway bridge Blackpole junction for a pedestrian crossing with yellow box.

Worcester News:

He wants to see the removal of damaging knot weed on public land near to residents homes, the redevelopment of brown field land especially that on Tunnel Hill often used for fly tipping.

Continued efforts to improve the standards of our schools. Greater care to vulnerable adults and children.

Provision of crèches in our libraries for staff and students.

Alex believes that by working as a independent non-partisan councillor Worcestershire will have a great future having best communication links, a keen workforce, top sporting facilities, a place in some of Britain’s most lovely countryside where the county’s finances will be handled carefully and not wasted.

LEISA TAYLOR (WOMEN'S EQUALITY PARTY)

I’m really excited to be the first Women’s Equality Party candidate in the city’s Rainbow Hill ward.

I want to bring a new approach to politics in County Hall, to foster a culture of collaboration with all parties on key issues affecting local people.

Worcester News:

I want to redress the current imbalance of only a quarter of our councillors being female.

I want to work with all parties to put equality first. That means tackling the pay gap that sees Worcester women earn on average £100 a week less than men.

I want to protect those public services for women and for children currently under threat from government and county council cuts.

I’m standing in Rainbow Hill because it’s where I spent my student years when I first came to Worcester 24 years ago; it’s such a diverse community with so much unrecognised potential.

It’s also the community where my daughter goes to school and is currently forging what might be lifelong friendships.