THERE are set to be two people in the running to become the new council leader in a vote this week.

Warrington's Labour group will meet on Thursday night to choose the person to take over from Cllr Terry O'Neill who will stand down next month.

READ MORE > Cllr Terry O'Neill to leave as council leader

Current deputy leader and finance executive board member Cllr Russ Bowden is heavy favourite to win the vote.

But the Warrington Guardian understands Cllr Graham Friend, who staged an unsuccessful attempt to become leader last year, will challenge him.

Cllr Friend is a former deputy leader of the council.

Whoever does win will need to be formally elected as leader at the next full council meeting on December 10.

Meanwhile the election for the new deputy promises to have a much larger number of candidates.

Many members of the current executive board are keen on the role which does not require ratification from full council.

The new deputy leader will be selection by Labour councillors on December 17.