NAME: Mike Barnes

PARTY/GROUP: Labour Party

WARD: Longton South

AGE: 42

ADDRESS: Trentham Road, Dresden

EXPERIENCE: Serving councillor since 1999

EDUCATION: O-levels

PREVIOUS JOB: Former bus driver and quality control technician.

MARITAL STATUS: Married

KEY ROLES: Include chairman of the council's development control committee.

NAME: Ross Irving

PARTY/GROUP: Conservative and Independent Alliance

WARD: Trentham & Hanford

AGE: 61

ADDRESS: Coverdale Close, Meir Park

EXPERIENCE: Serving councillor since 1973, except for 1996-1998.

EDUCATION: O-levels

PREVIOUS JOB: Retired company director.

MARITAL STATUS: Divorced

KEY ROLES: Include portfolio holder, partnerships and transformation.

NAME: Peter Kent-Baguley

PARTY/GROUP: Potteries Alliance

WARD: Chell & Packmoor

AGE: 67

ADDRESS: St Edward Street, Leek

EXPERIENCE: Serving councillor since 2002 and former deputy council leader.

EDUCATION: Masters PREVIOUS JOB: Retired sociology lecturer.

MARITAL STATUS: Married

KEY ROLES: Include Ceramica Trust board.

NAME: Alby Walker

PARTY/GROUP: British National Party

WARD: Abbey Green

AGE: 51

ADDRESS: Argosy Close, Meir Park

EXPERIENCE: Serving councillor since 2006.

JOB: Runs a small business.

EDUCATION: City & Guilds

MARITAL STATUS: Married to councillor Ellie Walker

KEY ROLES: Include chair of health overview and scrutiny committee.

NAME: Brian Ward

PARTY/GROUP: City Independent Group

WARD: Blurton

AGE: 61

ADDRESS: Maythorne Road, Blurton

EXPERIENCE: Serving city councillor since 2003.

PREVIOUS JOB: Retired businessman.

EDUCATION: A-levels

MARITAL STATUS: Married

KEY ROLES: Include chairman of appeals committees for tenancy and staffing; Instaffs board.