With just a few seats needed to change hands tomorrow (Thursday) for the Conservatives to take control of Croydon Council, the repercussions of last week's Labour Party scandals could end up leaving a making impression on the borough's political make-up.

Political forecasters are predicting significant losses for Labour Croydon, along with Bexley, and Hammersmith and Fulham, could be among the crucial London boroughs to switch from Labour to Tory.

Both the Conservatives and Labour are claiming that people are responding well to their respective messages.

But it is unlikely that either would admit to getting a bad reaction on the doorsteps this close to a crucial vote.

Little change is needed to swing the balance of power when voters go to the polls tomorrow, so much is at stake.

Croydon is one of the largest boroughs in London and its population is among the highest in the capital.

That means that whoever controls Croydon's corridors of power controls a massive budget and carries the tremendous responsibility that entails.

It is no coincidence that many political big-hitters have been to the borough in recent weeks. In a seemingly two-way contest both sides were keen to let the people know that their big stars cared enough to pay flying visits.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Defence Secretary John Reid, Conservative leader David Cameron, shadow home secretary David Davis and the Prime Minister Tony Blair are among those who have graced us with their presence.

What affect their participation in this year's election campaign has had remains to be seen.

While the ruling Labour group hope Croydon's electorate use their vote for local issues, there is concern the recent headlines involving senior Labour politicians could sway some to switch allegiance.

Pictures of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott cavorting with his former secretary, television images of Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt being roundly booed at a nurses' conference and Home Secretary Charles Clarke's foreign criminals blunder could lead to an almighty kick in the ballots for Labour.

In marginal wards, such as Waddon, this could prove critical for Labour's future for the next four years in the borough.

However, council leader Tony Newman believes faith in local services will win through over salacious stories in the national press.

He said: "What we have been picking up on doorsteps, overwhelmingly, is that people will be voting on local issues, not what has been seen in the headlines during the last week and we very much hope that is the case.

"Obviously, we would prefer not to be fighting an election against the background of some of the headlines that have appeared over the last week but we know that in our key wards we have strong local candidates, most of whom are standing for re-election, with a strong reputation.

"The opposition has had an overwhelmingly negative campaign which offers no alternative and has chosen to concentrate on national issues.

"Local services, after all, is what people are voting on in the local elections."

Coun Newman said he was happy that the latest electoral contest had been fought in the right manner.

Councillor Mike Fisher, leader of Croydon Conservatives, added that while Labour's recent bad press may affect a small number of votes, it will not be a significant issue.

He said: "We've had a very positive response on the doorsteps from people who are fed up of Labour and who want to see a change.

"I don't think the national picture is helping Labour at all but, having said that, in my experience of going door-to-door it's the key local issues such as council tax and crime that people are voting on.

"The background of what's been going on nationally will not be helping them. I am sure it will sway some people but I don't think it is as big an issue as the media is making it out to be."

However, Lib Dem Councillor Ian Atkins defending his seat in Cousldon East said: "I think, inevitably, it will have that effect.

"Whether it encourages people to go out and vote for another party remains to be seen. It may mean that people will read those headlines and stay in, not bothering to vote at all."

Political forecasters are predicting significant gains for the Lib Dems in seats all over the country. Smaller minority parties, including independent candidates, are also expected to make a bigger impact if voters disgruntled with their usual party cast one of their available votes for someone else.

Councillor Atkins added: "We've got more candidates in more seats standing in Croydon than we've had in years and there is greater opportunity for residents across the borough.

"Residents voting in this year's local elections will have more choice than they've had for years in Croydon. We just hope they use it wisely." In 2002, just one in three bothered to vote and Croydon Council launched its customary drive to encourage voter turnout in the form of a prominent poster campaign featuring the question: What takes two minutes and lasts four years?' However, there are still concerns that many apathetic residents will choose to stay at home.

Croydon Council chief executive and returning officer David Wechsler, who will taking part in his ninth and possibly last local election, said: "It's a great shame that only one in three local electors bothered to vote in the last elections.

"Voting is a democratic right which we in the UK appear to take for granted while in many parts of the world it is a right for which people are still fighting.

"The way the council is run affects every resident in Croydon. It would be enormously satisfying to those of us involved in public service if more residents were to recognise that a couple of minutes of their time is a small effort in return for their local democratic representation."

A total of 220 candidates have been nominated to contest tomorrow's local elections in Croydon. The Conservatives will be contesting all 70 seats, Labour 66 seats and the Liberal Democrats 37 seats. The Green Party, UK Independence Party, Communist Party of Britain, the British National Party, The People's Choice, Official Monster Raving Loony Party, Pensions Action Alliance and Croydon Ratepayers Against Croydon Council all have representatives standing.

A total of 57 nominated candidates are already members of the council seeking re-election and Croydon Council is currently split by 37 seats to Labour, 30 to Conservative and two to the Liberal Democrats.

Those eligible to vote will have been sent a polling card in the post prior to the elections. Details of your local polling station, including a map, are provided with this card. If you have not received this card, you should confirm with the council's electoral services department whether you are registered to vote.

Nearly 150 polling stations all over the borough, which include church halls, schools, libraries, and health centres, will be open between 7am and 10pm. A list of polling stations is available from the council's website: www.croydon. gov.uk/elections or by calling the town hall's electoral services department on 020 8726 6300 between 8.45am and 5.15pm.

Voters will be able to choose three councillors to represent them over the next four years, except in the wards of Fieldway and New Addington where voters will pick two.

The count begins at 10pm with the first of the results expected from midnight onwards.

You can follow the election results at www.croydonguardian.co.uk.