Count down: Just days left

The three main political parties are set for a big weekend of campaigning ahead of next week's local government elections.

Party strategists will be hoping to move the agenda onto more familiar territory of local services and value for money.

So far the parties have been forced to campaign against apathy and the only headlines garnered so far have focused on possible fallout from the French Presidential election.

Far right parties could benefit from the rise in media interest caused by Le Pen's electoral success.

Earlier in the week the prime minister urged voters to vote Conservative or any other party other than the BNP hoping to avoid of a repeat performance in towns like Oldham.

Blair pledged that in the final days of the campaign he will focus on the "nitty gritty everyday issues", such as law and order.

"Throughout this local election campaign we have been highlighting what we in government have been doing in partnership with local councils, local police, local businesses and local people to improve the quality of life on estates and towns up and down the country," he said.

The prime minister, eager to avoid big gains for the Conservatives, said there was a clear difference between the two parties.

"On May 2 it is a choice between continuing with the investment in more police, better schools and decent environment or cutting that investment and going back to neglect of public services."

For the Conservatives, Iain Duncan Smith claimed voters have become disillusioned by red tape from central government and the high costs of Labour councils.

"For all the red tape, Conservative councils are innovating in the best interests of their community and providing inspiring examples of how to enrich the local quality of life. We have a strong record of delivery and we have a strong vision of genuine community government."

The Liberal Democrats will be focusing on their target areas of Milton Keynes, Cheltenham, Eastbourne and Norwich, hoping to build on success in Liverpool where it has control of the council.

With a strong showing of numbers, the party is looking to prove it is making progress in achieving Charles Kennedy's ambition of becoming the "real opposition".

Campaigners are fighting to halt what the party sees as increasing centralisation by Labour. It is also pledging to end the local business rate.

"There is a great deal of disillusionment at Labour's performance in office," said party leader Charles Kennedy. We have a strong message that we are delivering and that Liberal Democrat councils offer value for money."