THE Pendle constituency is known as a ‘swing’ seat.

Since being created in 1983, it has been held by the Tories twice and Labour four times.

It returned to the Conservatives in 2010 when Andrew Stephenson ousted Labour’s Gordon Prentice with a majority of just 3,585.

This time, the Tories face a challenge from Labour, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and UK Independence Party.

AZHAR ALI (Lab) AZHAR was born locally and grew up in Brierfield. He attended Walter Street Primary and Mansfield High Schools, and worked at Smith and Nephew in Brierfield before going to study engineering. He gained a post-graduate certificate in management at Reading University and a Masters in business administration from Leeds University.

Since university, he has held a number of posts around the UK, ranging from a design engineer at Protec in Nelson to HR director.

He has represented Pendle communities as a town councillor, mayor, Pendle Council leader, and currently, as a Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing. After 7/7, he worked as a senior government advisor, advising ministers on a range of issues including counter-terrorism.

He lives locally with his wife, Zainib, and three children. “Pendle is my home, the place I know best and I am truly passionate about putting Pendle first,” he says.

LAURA FISK (Green) BORN and raised in North Wales, Laura has a strong feeling of community involvement.

She has volunteered for various projects (mental health, autism, learning disabilities and children) and has been keen to get involved wherever she has travelled.

She says: “I always knew I wanted to work with people, but was wary of following my parents into working for the NHS (both have worked all their lives for the health service), so I decided to follow my love of language for a while and studied linguistics. I couldn’t shake the volunteering bug and decided that clinical psychology was for me.

“And pursuing experience for this work brought me to Pendle - as soon as I qualified I came back and decided to get involved in politics as a way of giving something back. The Green Party for the Common Good was the only party that met my values of compassion, social and environmental realism.”

GRAHAM ROACH (Lib Dem) GRAHAM has been a councillor for eight years and has held various executive roles. He is chairman of the scrutiny committee and the current Mayor of Pendle. His wife, Joanna, is a town councillor.

Graham grew up in Ashby de la Zouch and spent most of his life in Salford, before moving to Pendle 13 years ago.

His school life shaped his ambitions to focus on success and a positive, equal society. He discovered an aptitude for engineering and has followed a successful career in this field.

He says: “I have been extremely fortunate to have succeeded in my chosen career as an engineer at major company and I want to bring that experience to Pendle as an MP. I am proud to be a Liberal Democrat, I believe in our vision for a fairer society and greater opportunity for all.”

He is keen to promote modern apprenticeships and works hard through mentoring graduates.

ANDREW STEPHENSON (Cons) ANDREW says it has been a huge honour to represent Pendle in Parliament since May 2010.

He adds: “I have worked hard to support the local economy, including the successful fight to keep Silentnight in Barnoldswick after the company went into liquidation in 2011.

“I worked with another major employer Hoseasons (now renamed Wyndham Vacation Rentals) in Earby to successfully change the law relating to holiday cottages and continue to fight to support Rolls-Royce workers at Bankfield and Ghyll Brow.

“West Craven High has benefited from a £6 million refurbishment and we saw the new £5 million Barnoldswick Church School open in September. A new £6 million A&E has opened at Airedale Hospital, which has been used by many more Pendle residents after Burnley Hospital’s A&E was closed under Labour in 2007.

“Despite the massive deficit we inherited I feel substantial progress has been made. I hope residents will allow me to continue to work on their behalf.”

MICK WADDINGTON (UKIP) MICK - a former retained fireman - has lived in the constituency all his life and is a long-term party member. Married to Sarah, Mick is secretary of the Pendle-Power Event for classic car, bike and motoring enthusiasts.

He is also part of the group looking to revive the Barrowford Show after several difficult years.

At his selection meeting, Mick stressed the need for UKIP to reach out and appeal to all sections of Pendle’s diverse community.

He emphasised the need to improve discipline and standards in education, and to address the skills shortages affecting local employers.

After his selection, he said: “I look forward to be representing UKIP in offering a clear alternative to the tired old parties, who’ve let our country down so many times.”