The runners and riders have been announced for candidates standing in the forthcoming county council elections.

Six Hyndburn seats will be contested by 21 candidates with Labour and the Conservatives fielding representatives for every seat.

The UK Independence Party has four candidates, the Green Party has two candidates while three independents are also in contention.

In Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson is hoping to keep his county council seat with Conservative candidate Warren Melia and UKIP’s Craig Ramplee vying for it.

Coun Parkinson said the Labour group is hopeful of retaking control of the county council from the Conservatives.

He said: “It will be a test and a big task. Over the past four years the people of Hyndburn have been let down by the Conservatives at County Hall.

“We have seen recycling centres closed, care charges introduced for young people with disabilities and massive increases in charges for day care centres.”

Hyndburn Tory group leader Peter Britcliffe is also standing again for the Oswaldtwistle seat with competition from Labour’s Colette McCormack and UKIP’s Paul Thompson.

Coun Britcliffe said the Conservatives are looking forward to retaining control of County Hall.

He said: “We are already out on the campaign trail and talking to as many people as possible.

“I think it is hugely important that the Conservatives keep control of the council.

“We have some excellent candidates in Hyndburn this time and we have a very good record of not only freezing council taxes but reducing them.”

Accrington South will be the most fiercely fought over ward with five candidates up for election following Hyndburn MP Graham Jones’ decision not to re-stand.

They are Conservative Kath Pratt, Labour’s Bernard Dawson, UKIP’s Christopher Matthew, Kasia Jewell of the Green Party and Independent Alexander Ross.

In Accrington North incumbent Malcolm Pritchard has been challenged by his daughter Clare Pritchard, of Labour, Kerry Gormley of the Green Party and Conservative Nick Whittaker.

Conservative candidate Mohammed Younis will look to defend his Accrington West seat against Labour’s Munsif Dad and UKIP’s Bobby Anwar.

Great Harwood county councillor Ciaran Wells is not standing for re-election and the seat will be contested by Labour’s Gareth Molineux, Conservative Peter Clarke and Independent Ian Robinson.

The election will be held on Thursday, May 2 and the counting of votes will begin at 10am on Friday, May 3.

Full list of candidates (incumbent candidates and parties in capital letters):

Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors: Warren Melia (Conservative), MILES PARKINSON (LABOUR), Craig Ramplee (UKIP)

Oswaldtwistle: PETER BRITCLIFFE (CONSERVATIVE), Colette McCormack (Labour), Paul Thompson (UKIP)

Great Harwood: Peter Clarke (Conservative), Gareth Molineux (LABOUR), Ian Robinson (Independent)

Accrington South: Bernard Dawson (LABOUR), Kasia Jewell (Green Party), Christopher Matthew (UKIP), Kath Pratt (Conservative), Alexander Ross (Independent)

Accrington North: Kerry Gormley (Green Party), Clare Pritchard (Labour), MALCOLM PRITCHARD (INDEPENDENT), Nick Whittaker (Conservative)

Accrington West: Bobby Anwar (UKIP), Munsif Dad (Labour), MOHAMMED YOUNIS (CONSERVATIVE)