A TOTAL of 65 candidates will battle it out for 17 seats at next month’s Bury Council elections.

The deadline for candidate registration passed on Monday, with one seat in each of the 17 wards up for grabs at the ballot box on May 5.

There are a total of 51 seats in the borough, with the Conservatives currently occupying 23 seats, Labour 20 and the Liberal Democrats eight.

The Conservatives have a majority rule, although they do not have outright control.

Candidates in 13 wards are aiming to hold their seats, while there will be four new faces.

Cllr Denise Bigg (Elton), Cllr Siobhan Costella (Radcliffe East), Cllr Sheila Magnall (Ramsbottom) and Cllr David Higgin (North Manor) are not seeking re-election.

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is fielding a record eight candidates, including former Conservative Cllr Peter Redstone, who has defected to become chairman of the new Bury UKIP branch, formed in March.

The British National Party (BNP) has no candidates, while the English Democrats has two and the Green Party has one.

Veteran community campaigners Lynette Mitchell-Male and Victor Hagan will stand as independent candidates.

l On the same election day, a referendum will also be held on whether the voting system should be changed.