Southport Town centre residents go to the polls today in an election that could see ex MP John Pugh return to politics.
The Lib Dem faces tough competition from Labours Frank Hanley who wants to record their first ever victory in Dukes while the Tory candidate Ann Permain wants to keep the seat blue.
The Green Party are hopeful of a chance if the rest of the votes are split but the likelihood of them winning is slim.
The Dukes award by election was called after veteran councillor Pat Ball was forced to resign through serious illness.
Whoever wins will join independent councillors David Barton and Tony Dawson who are suspended from the Tory and Lib Dem parties respectively.