A CLEAR gap is emerging between Mildura Council challengers and the also-rans as counting into this year's local government elections reaches the half way mark.

Former long-serving mayor Glenn Milne remains a clear leader in first preference votes with 3370 after the counting of just over 20,000 votes.

Maintaining their place in the top three are Werrimull farmer Ian Arney (1839 votes) and Liam ...