Four English towns go to the polls to elect US-style mayors today.

As with May's pioneering contests, the mayoral elections are set to take place against a background of public indifference to a now tarnished flagship of devolved politics.

The seven previous polls saw an average turnout of just 32 per cent.

With the last mayoral races taking place at the time of local council elections - boosting political activity at a national level - some fear that the "apathy party" is likely to sweep the board today.

Low participation has contributed to unpredictable results for the government.

Only two of spring's contests captured the public imagination - and in both instances Labour, the favourite, was the loser.

A controversial former police officer trounced Labour in Middlesbrough.

And ministers were said to be rethinking the whole concept after a monkey running on a "free bananas" ticket became the first elected mayor of Hartlepool.

Where local mayoral politics have come alive, rebel or offbeat figures seem to be needed to kick-start backing for US-style civic leaders.

Central government may again find itself having to do business with unconventional politicians.

Bedford, Hackney, Mansfield and Stoke-on-Trent will be voting using the supplementary voting system - which combined with low turnout could lead to volatility.

If a candidate polls more than half the vote he or she will be declared elected.

If no one polls more than 50 per cent all candidates except those in first and second place are eliminated from the contest and their votes redistributed in line with the second ballot preference of their supporters.

The winner of the second round is then declared elected.