The control of key local councils across England and Wales is up for grabs in today's elections.

Of the 387 local authorities in England, a total of 144 are holding elections.

And elections are also being held for every council in Wales, encompassing 22 unitary authorities and 700 town and community councils.

While much attention has been focused on the London mayoral ballot, voters are facing key decisions in several big English cities.

Birmingham, Newcastle and Sheffield town halls could all change hands.

Polls have suggested Labour may struggle in its key heartlands, and will be hoping for a significant turnout from its core supporters.

If Labour voters stay at home, Tony Blair's party may struggle to hold on to its current position.

The Liberal Democrats are hoping for gains, and the party has been appealing to Muslim voters in a bid to make inroads into areas traditionally dominated by Labour.

The Conservatives have also been pressing hard in Birmingham where there is currently no overall control. Party leader Michael Howard launched the Tory campaign in the second city.

In Newcastle boundary changes could help to strengthen the Lib Dem position, but Labour will again be seeking to defend its position.

Similarly, the Lib Dems hope to re-take control of Sheffield council, which they won under Charles Kennedy's leadership but subsequently lost.

Welsh councils

One of the key local battles in Wales is for control of Rhondda Cynon Taf, where Labour is fighting to regain control from Plaid Cymru.

And Caerphilly County Borough Council is another significant Labour target, with the nationalists again defending control.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are challenging in Cardiff, while in Wrexham John Marek's Forward Wales party is hoping to make an impact.

Party positions

Labour has been emphasising its commitment to restoring local councils after their loss of powers under the Conservatives.

And while high council tax bills have caused problems for the government, it has also pointed to the extra funding being delivered to frontline local services.

The Conservatives have also highlighted rising council tax bills, while also stressing their opposition to government moves to create a system of English regional government.

Lib Dem campaigning has focused the party's plans to replace council tax with a local income tax.

To find out if local elections are taking place in your area, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/elections.