VOTERS in Tidworth and Ludgershall will be heading to the polls this week as Wiltshire’s county elections get under way.

Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, May 4, to vote for local councillors to represent the two wards in Wiltshire Council.

In Tidworth, the seat currently held by incumbent Wiltshire Conservative councillor Mark Connolly will be contested by Labour candidate Joan Barnett.

Cllr Connolly said: “I am proud of my achievements representing Tidworth but there is so much more to do like the new civic centre, more sports facilities, retail and jobs.”

The Labour candidate said: “Cuts to council funding and public services have hit our communities hard. Unless we challenge the Tory domination of politics this will only get worse.”

Conservative Cllr Chris Williams has held the seat for Ludgershall and Perham Down for eight years and will be contested by three candidates representing the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Ukip.

Cllr Williams said: “I am the only local candidate with a proven track record of achievements in our community but realise there is still more to be done and will continue to work to with the community to make it an even better place to live in.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Charles Lambert said: “I live locally in Chute and support a local charity The Music Troupe, my passions are the advancement of arts and heritage.”

Teresa Thornton representing the Green Party has lived in Perham Down for 18 years. She is a semi-retired former social worker and has also done a variety of voluntary work.

Ukip candidate Les Webster said: “Having returned to Wiltshire and seen how it has changed I am anxious to serve and defend the community, and to ensure that Ludgershall avoids becoming a London dormitory town.”