Campaigners are protesting against plans to build 6,500 houses in the county

On Monday, Ceredigion Council confirmed that a petition handed in by campaign group Llais y Cardi in November had enough names on the electoral register to warrant a referendum on the issue.

The vote is likely to take place on 22 April which means that a five-month-long fight between Llais y Cardi and opponents of a directly-elected mayor is on the cards.

The mayor would have powers which go far beyond those of a traditional, more ceremonial mayor - and the battle ahead could be a bitter one.

This is a chance for electors to make sure their voice is heard and their opinion counts Emyr Hywel, Llais y Cardi

The councill leader Dai Lloyd Evans has already called Llais y Cardi 'the Bin Ladens of the future' in a BBC Radio Cymru radio debate in September.

Cllr Lloyd Evans believes that councillors have no option but to attend public meetings and go out on the streets to persuade people that a directly-elected Mayor would be a backward move for the county.

Llais y Cardi was formed in protest against plans for 6,500 new homes in the area and it is confident the people of Ceredigion will back its call for a directly-elected mayor.

ROLE OF ELECTED MAYOR Act as council's spokesperson Provide political leadership Appoint and dismiss cabinet and deputy mayor Chair cabinet meetings Represent the council on outside bodies

Earlier this month it handed in a petition signed by 8,474 residents calling for a referendum on a directly-elected mayor.

"By voting in favour of an elected mayor in the referendum, voters will have the opportunity to democratically elect the leader of the council," said Llais y Cardi spokesman Emyr Hywel.

"Over the past two years, Ceredigion Council has ignored the opinion of voters on many issues that have caused real anger in the county.

Cllr Lloyd Evans said he was willing to face opponents at public meetings

"In pressing ahead with their irresponsible unitary development plan to build 6,500 houses the councillors ignored 11,000 objections.

"This is a chance for electors to make sure their voice is heard and their opinion counts."

Cllr Lloyd Evans, however, defended his own performance as council leader.

"Inspections of the council have show us to be one of the most effective local authorities in Wales," he said.

"Councillors will now have to use similar propaganda methods to Llais y Cardi to persuade people that having a mayor would not be a good idea.

"Electing a mayor runs the risk of people being stuck with an ineffective leader for four years.

"I have no problem in facing Llais y Cardi at public meetings to explain to people why this would be a bad idea."

A council spokesman said that the referendum would be held on 22 April because it would take the Welsh assembly until the end of March to draw up the new legislation to cover the referendum.

He added that if electors supported a move for a mayor, that election would probably take place in October 2004.