Derby:  A key battleground for all three main parties, the Conservatives (16 seats) and Lib Dems (12 seats) run the council in coalition but Labour is the largest party (22 seats). Labour will be targetting gains of 4 seats to take control but only a third of council seats are up for election.   With the background of the controversial Bombardier decision and the prospects for parliamentary marginals, especially following the Boundary Review, this is one to watch. LAB gain from NOC

Milton Keynes:  We accurately predicted last year that the Conservatives would win enough seats to form a minority administration.   This year the Conservatives could win outright control but they need net gains of 5 seats, with only a third of seats up for election this time. Count on Friday