THE gripping election battle for Stoke-on-Trent Central is among the most closely-watched in the UK.

Nationally, the seat is viewed as a barometer for the level of support the Labour Party now commands in its traditional heartlands.

Press officers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have been handling requests from numerous national media networks jostling for access to the best camera locations and computer links in the King's Hall ahead of the count.

Just two months ago, none of these news organisations were interested in Stoke-on-Trent Central, where Mark Fisher, pictured right, was expected to defend his 9,500-vote majority from 2005.

But his decision to step down on health grounds in March suddenly transformed an impossibly safe Labour seat into an enticing political target.

Conservative candidate Norsheen Bhatti, Liberal Democrat contender John Redfern, BNP deputy leader Simon Darby, and independent former deputy elected mayor Paul Breeze had already announced their intention to stand when Mr Fisher quit.

Then Alby Walker, who turned against the BNP he had been leading in the city, secured enough funding to stand as an independent.

As Labour scrambled to find a worthy replacement for Mr Fisher, deputy city council leader Brian Ward became the latest independent candidate, and Matt Wright emerged to represent the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition.

As it turned out, Labour's truncated selection process would produce not one, but two candidates, as former Stoke-on-Trent Central Constituency Labour Party secretary Gary Elsby quit the party in protest at alleged national party interference to become an independent opponent to Labour's preferred choice, broadcaster and historian Tristram Hunt.

UKIP later announced Carol Lovatt would represent them.

At first glance, voters seem to have an enviable choice.

But on closer inspection, it seems weeks of campaigning and tens of thousands of pounds worth of advertising may count for little.

During a visit to Stoke town centre, The Sentinel spoke to traders and shoppers to find out what they made of the campaign so far, and what factors would influence their choice.

Surprisingly, no-one appeared to be able to say for certain how many candidates were standing or which parties or causes they represented.

And even those who had decided how to vote were unable to name the candidate they would be putting a cross next to on the ballot paper.

One local woman who was asked if she knew how many candidates she had to choose from replied straight away: "Yes, it's six."

When corrected, she said: "I knew it was a lot, but I had no idea there were that many. It does seem a very large number for people to choose from."

She was one of several residents to make the same point.

Voters in some parts of the UK complain there are too few parties standing to offer a proper democratic choice.

That problem doesn't apply to Stoke, but it appears the town's residents may have too much of a good thing.

With such a wide choice of candidates, including many with outwardly similar political identities and aims, confused voters seem to be choosing the brand, rather than the actual product.

Beverley Plimbley, aged 57, of Trent Vale, said: "I think it is confusing for people. It's a bit like when we had to vote for the elected mayor a few years ago, and people weren't really sure what they were voting for.

"I think a lot of people will end up voting for parties, not candidates, because it's easier to choose a party you recognise and can agree with."

Trader Mandy Hill, aged 44, who runs the Olde Sweet Shoppe, in Campbell Place, said: "I have seen some of the parties' literature, but I haven't seen any candidates around and I wouldn't know who they are.

"I thought the BNP leaflets stated quite a good case, but they are a bit extreme for me, so I will probably vote independent."

When asked which of the four independent candidates she favoured, she replied: "I would have to look at their literature and see what they all stand for.

"I want someone who will sort out the town centre and help to generate the investment we need here."

Retired teacher Sammy Laryea, aged 67, runs the CLIFT charity shop a few doors away.

He is voting Labour on Thursday, but admits he knows nothing about the candidate – not even his name.

He said: "As long as it's Labour, that's all I care about. I've always voted Labour.

"I don't really like Gordon Brown, but I will still vote Labour."

It remains to be seen whether fellow market trader Alan Branner, aged 54, of Shelton, speaks for many when he says that, because he cannot bring himself to support Labour this time, he won't vote for anyone.

He said: "I think most people are going to be voting on party lines without any thought for who the candidate is.

"But anything other than Labour has been a wasted vote for years around here, so I won't be voting."

Bygone elections: See Page 18; 'Hung parliament is nothing to fear': See Page 20