NIGEL Hicks, 49, lives in Winyates Green and is married to Sheelagh. They have two daughters at university, Fiona studying teaching and Michelle studying computer science and management.

Mr Hicks is a chartered quantity surveyor working for international electrical firm Alston in Rugby. He originally hails from Truro in Cornwall and moved to Redditch in 1989.

He joined the Liberal Democrats in 1992 and has sat on Redditch Council for six years. He is chairman of the planning committee.

He says: "The Liberal Democrats are on the verge of a major breakthrough. No longer can it be argued that a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a wasted vote.

"From the 1980s through to this election, whenever the electorate have been asked, 'If you thought that the Liberal Democrats could win in your constituency, who would you vote for?', opinion polls have identified Redditch as a constituency which we would probably win.

"Trust in the Government is at an all- time low due to the war in Iraq. The Tories in Worcestershire are in disarray. The people of Redditch will not forget last year's bitter in-fighting or the mess that they made handling our town's affairs.

"There is very little to choose between the two old parties. The Liberal Democrats offer a real alternative.

"For me, this election is about fairness. Is it fair that those on low wages should pay a greater share of their income than those earning more than £100,000 a year?

''Is it fair students leave university with debts the size of mortgages?

''Is it fair pensioners should be forced to sell their home just to pay for care?"