The Menai Bridge has linked Anglesey and mainland since 1826

Traditionally, the island's local authority was ruled by a group of Independents.

The fact that Anglesey has returned a Labour MP and a Plaid Cymru AM at the most recent elections shows the inconsistency of islanders' voting habits.

Then in April 2003, to add to further colour to the mixed picture, a unique ruling group took political control which saw Plaid Cymru and Labour councillors in partnership.

Some voters felt the move would heal rifts and scandals which had dogged the authority recently, but others felt it had to be crushed immediately.

In all, 22 Plaid Cymru, Labour and Independent councillors joined to take control of Anglesey Council.

How the council stood New Coalition: 16 Independent: 14 Plaid Cymru: 4 Independent Alliance: 4 Unaffiliated: 1

The Wales Labour Party was not happy, threatened to discipline four councillors who joined the New Coalition Party, and when they refused to back down, they were expelled.

Over the past decade, the council has struggled with a series of damaging district auditors' reports which led to the departure of its chief executive and director of housing and a wide-ranging police investigation into several councillors and officers.

But things seem to have quietened down over the past few years and Anglesey has changed geographically as well as politically.

Wylfa power station opened in 1971 but faces closure

The island had been part of Gwynedd but in 1993 regained unitary status.

Bustling trade

It is proud of its heritage and with 60% of the population bilingual, boasts the second highest proportion of Welsh speakers in Wales.

It has a mixed community and most people work within the tourist or agricultural industries. Unemployment stands at 3.4%.

The island suffered badly in the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001, with 13 confirmed cases of the disease.

Farmers have since tried to get back onto their feet and have been encouraged to diversify.

The nuclear power station at Wylfa, a feature of the island's north-east coast, is likely to close by the turn of the decade.

At full capacity, it produces enough electricity for two cities the size of Manchester and Liverpool, but in 2001, problems in one of its reactors led to a 15-month shutdown.

Ireland's growing status in Europe has also led to bustling trade at Holyhead port, with two companies vying for goods and passengers with its fast and conventional ferries.

The island is also home to the Royal Air Force, with the Valley base responsible for the advanced flying, tactics and weapons training for all UK armed forces fast jet pilots.