VOTERS in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne have some tough decisions to make over who will represent them on the county council as this year’s election race gets underway.

The candidates going head to head for seats on Somerset County Council were revealed today (Friday).

Members of the public will go to the polls on Thursday, June 4, to choose who gets their vote in the five electoral divisions of the area.

In Chard North, Jenny Kenton (Liberal Democrats), Tom McGee (Labour), Martin Wale (Conservatives) and Fay Williams (British National Party) will battle for the seat vacated by Paul Buchanan (Liberal Democrats).

Council leader Jill Shortland (Liberal Democrats) is seeking re-election in Chard South but faces tough competition from Linda Vijeh (Conservatives) and Robert Baehr (British National Party).

In Ilminster, it is a two-horse race between Martin Rawstorne (Conservatives) and Kim Turner (Liberal Democrats) to fill the seat previously held by Tony Shire (Liberal Democrat).

John Dyke (Liberal Democrats) is fighting to keep hold of his seat in Crewkerne against Marcus Barrett (Conservatives) and Ben Hartshorn (Green Party).

And South Petherton sees Ian Greenfield as the only Independent member in the area on the ballot paper, alongside Michael Fox (Green Party), Anne Larpent (Conservatives) and Brian Smith (Liberal Democrats) trying to win the seat vacated by John Sharpe (Liberal Democrats).

*In the run-up to polling day, the News will be the best place to look to find comprehensive election coverage.

We will keep you up to date with who's doing what, tell you more about the people who want your votes, outline their election promises, and tell you where and when you can go to vote.

So don't miss the News between now and June 4 and keep logging on to this website for live updates.