THE candidates standing for Whitehaven Town Council in the upcoming local elections have been revealed.

A number of long-serving councillors are not seeking re-election, including the current mayor of Whitehaven, Charles Maudling, who represents Whitehaven Central.

Cllr Carl ‘Wammo’ Walmsley for Mirehouse East and Cllr Julie Rayson for Hillcrest are also not standing for re-election.

Cllr Walmsley said: “It's a role I've thoroughly enjoyed for six years. I honestly believe the WTC has a very important role that is underestimated massively for the good it does.

“I've been honoured to represent Mirehouse on the town council but after a long hard think, I sadly didn't think I would have the time the seat and the constituents fully deserved.

“I wish all the council the very best for the future, both near and far and I'd like to say a big thank you to the clerks, Marlene and Vanessa, who have been fantastic with me throughout.

“I wouldn't rule out a return in the future but for now I'm going to rest my body and mind and spend some quality time with my family.”

Cllr Rayson said: “My main reason not to stand for re-election is because of work commitments.

“While I've still followed up any problems from Hillcrest residents, recently I've found it increasingly difficult to have time to go to town council meetings and organised events and think it only fair that someone who can commit more should be given the chance to be elected.”

Cllr Gaile Stevens, who was elected to represent the empty Whitehaven South seat just last year, has not sought re-election either.

A number of seats on the town council are uncontested – with only one candidate put forward for election.

These are: Alan Spedding for Corkickle North; Graham Roberts for the Harras ward; Gemma Dinsdale for Mirehouse East; Johnnie Carr for Mirehouse West; Brian O’Kane for Whitehaven Central North; Edwin Dinsdale for Whitehaven Central South; and Alan Pearson for Whitehaven South.

A poll will be held on Thursday, May 4, to elect a councillor for each of the following wards, which had more than one candidate put forward:

Corkickle South:

Kathy King

Robert Philip White – Labour Party

Hillcrest:

Christine Chadwick

Ryan Eric Taylor – Independent

Kells:

Chris Hayes

Max Thomas Spedding

Sneckyeat North:

Ryan Gerard Redmond – Independent

David Wilkinson

Sneckyeat South:

Carol Bainbridge

Ray Gill – Labour Party