THERE were no last-minute surprises when nominations closed for candidates for the Totnes parliamentary constituency, with representatives from five parties putting themselves forward.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, Conserv­ative, is fighting to serve as the local MP for the second time.

She is up against county and district councillor Julian Brazil, Liberal Demo­crats, who is making his second bid for the parliamentary seat.

Gill Coombs, a learning and development practitioner and coach, has been selected as the Green Party candidate, while stockbroker Justin Haque is standing for Ukip.

Nicky Williams, a former cabinet member for children's services and transformation on Plymouth City Council, will stand for Labour.

Meanwhile, eight candidates are chasing three seats on the newly-formed Dartmouth and East Dart ward on South Hams Council.

The new ward – created by the boundary changes – replaces the former Dartmouth and Kingswear ward held by councillors Hilary Bastone, Jonathan Hawkins and Melvyn Stone, the Townstal ward held by Cllr Ben Cooper and the East Dart ward held by Cllr Rosemary Rowe.

District council nominations

Dartmouth and Kingswear, three seats: Paul Francis Allen, Ind; Hilary Douglas Bastone, Cons; Colin Chapman, Lab; Benjamin Stuart Cooper, Lab; Jonathan Denis Hawkins, Cons; David Kenneth Jones, Lab; Rose Rowe, Con; Steve Smith.

Allington and Strete, one seat: Suzanne Ellis, Green; Richard John Foss, Con.

Blackawton and Stoke Fleming, one seat: Patrick William Hadow, Green; Michael Hicks, Con.

West Dart, one seat: Ian Donaldson, Green; Richard Heseltine, Lib Dem; John Tucker, Con.

Dartmouth will be going to the polls for the first time in almost a decade to elect a new town council.

Enough candidates have come forward for an election to be held in both the Clifton ward, where there are 10 seats up for grabs, and the Townstal ward, where there are six vacancies.

It was some eight years ago that voters last had a chance to elect councillors on to Dartmouth Town Council.

By-elections and co-options have since been held in the town when vacancies have arisen but the poll on May 7 will see the first full town council election for all 16 seats in several years.

Most of the existing councillors are seeking re-election – with the exception of Andy Carter, Chris Smith and Ohms Suarez, who was the latest newcomer.

Among those also to have thrown their hats into the ring are two former mayors, an ex-town councillor and a former town council office employee.

Elections will be uncontested in six of the neighbouring parishes of Dittisham, Cornworthy, Halwell and Moreleigh, Strete, Stoke Fleming and Kingswear, where there are more vacanct seats than candidates standing. But Blackawton will be going to the polls.

Parish and town nominations

Blackawton: Ruth Coe, John Harold Donaldson, Lorien Joyce, Samantha Emmalee Lewis-Davis, Alan John Mallyon, Jack Daniel Perry, Simon John Rake, Chris Wills and Stanley Wreyford.

Cornworthy, uncontested: Jenny Bradley, David Douglas Carver, Rose Mary Farr, Stephen Ernest Hunt, John Edward Sharland, Rebecca Claire Taylor and Raymond Worthington.

Dartmouth Clifton: Paul Allen, Les Barnes, David John Cawley, Gina Coles, Richard William Ingram Cooke, Tessa De Galleani, Tony Fyson, David Michael Gent, Brian Terrence Harriss, Robert Michael Lyon, Richard Frederick Rendle and Sue Thomson.

Dartmouth Townstal: Maggie Baillie, Roger Edgar Chilcott, Francis John Hawke, Fred Pritchard, Iris Amy Pritchard, Steve Smith and Robin Springett.

Dittisham, uncontested: Richard John Bond, Michael John Faulkner, David Michael Harris-Evans, Jeremy Robinson, John Tucker, Philip Quentin Unitt and Keith Gregory Wotton.

Halwell and Moreleigh, uncontested: Stuart Colin Dunham, Pip Hallett, Michael Joseph McInerney, James Hugh Stephens Mussen, Neil Palmer, Helen Emily May Reeve, Denys Treeby, Paul Westlake, Ruth Courtney Widger and Evelyn Dorothy Wilson.

Kingswear Hillhead, uncontested: Hector William John Newcombe.

Kingswear, uncontested: Jonathan Denis Hawkins, Janice Claire Henshall, Ruth Searle and Mike Trevorrow.

Stoke Fleming, uncontested: Paul Courtenay Bond, Straun Robertson Coupar, Gail Dorrington, Katie Franks, David Harris, William Martin Judd, Mary Elizabeth Newman and Nick Wood.

Strete, uncontested: Ian Leslie Cumberlidge, Harry McPherson Fenton, Kate Gill, Malcolm Richard Arthur Hollis and Louise Dorothy Catherine Newman.

The parliamentary, parish, town and district council elections, where contested, will be taking place on Thursday, May 7.

If you have not already done so, you can register to vote up to Monday. Visit http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote">www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.