Local elections: Candidates confirmed for North Solihull

SOME intriguing battles are set to unfold over the next few weeks as the clock counts down to the local council elections.

This week, Solihull Council published full details of the candidates who will be standing in the 17 wards that make up the borough.

In Kingshurst & Fordbridge, Labour is fighting to defending its last remaining seat in Solihull - an authority it ran a little over 15 years ago.

Flo Nash, the party's sole remaining member, will be looking to see off a challenge from UKIP's Sarah Evans. Victory for the eurosceptic party would give them control of all three seats in the ward.

There is also quite a contest expected in Smith's Wood, where the Green Party will be challenging the man who became their first ever councillor in the West Midlands and paved the way for a string of victories in North Solihull.

Mike Sheridan decided to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) last year, a departure that surprised many.

The Greens have entrusted Jean Hamilton, a former Liberal Democrat, to recapture the seat.

Chelmsley Wood - where the Greens have won convincing majorities in recent years - and the Conservative stronghold of Castle Bromwich are less likely to see an upset.

This year's council elections take place on Thursday, May 5. Locals have until next Monday (April 18) to register to vote.

Candidates in North Solihull:

Bickenhill ward (includes Marston Green)

Mike Longfield (Lab)

Gary Macnaughton (Green)

Jim Ryan (Con)

Castle Bromwich ward

Cheryl Buxton-Sait (Green)

Ian English (Lab)

Ted Richards (Con)

Chelmsley Wood ward

Sally Bell (Con)

Emma Chidler (Lab)

Chris Williams (Green)

Rosie Worsley (UKIP)

Kingshurst & Fordbridge ward

Max Barker (Con)

David Davies (Green)

Sarah Evans (UKIP)

Flo Nash (Lab)

Smith's Wood ward

David Cole (Lab)

Jean Hamilton (Green)

Graham Juniper (Con)

Mike Sheridan (SDP)

Gary Smith (UKIP)