ALL sitting councillors in nine wards of Craven District Council - representing a third of the council - will be seeking re-election at the local elections on Thursday, May 3.

Conservative, Alan Sutcliffe, the current chairman of the council's planning committee, is fighting a challenge for his Gargrave and Malhamdale seat from Labour's Nick Parker.

In Aire Valley with Lothersdale, Patrick Mulligan (Conservative) is up against Labour's Brian McDaid and William Morton for the Greens.

Former council chairman, Linda Brockbank (Conservative) is seeking to retain her seat in Bentham, where she is up against John Matthew, for Labour, and Tim Stannard for the Independents.

Two UKIP candidates are seeking election - Bernard Akin in Penyghent, where he will be up against standing councillor Richard Welch (Conservative) and Virpi Kettu for Labour; and Tony Smith in Settle and Ribblebanks, where he will be fighting standing councillor David Staveley (Conservative) and Simon Lord (Labour).

Carl Lis (Conservative) will be aiming to hold his Ingleton and Clapham seat against Janine Bickerstaff for Labour, Tony Macaulay (Independent) and Sarah Wiltshire, for the Greens.

In Sutton-in-Craven, Independent, Stephen Place will be seeking re-election against Labour's Tony Alderson; while in Glusburn, Philip Barrett (Independent) will be up against Patricia Bartlett for the Conservatives, and Paul Routledge for Labour.

Chris Moorby (Conservative) is facing a challenge for his Hellifield and Long Preston seat by Labour's John Pope.

There will also be elections for Lothersdale Parish Council and Ingleton Parish Council.

The full list is: Aire Valley with Lothersdale: Brian Anthony McDaid (Labour); William Stephen Morton (Green); Patrick Thomas Mulligan (Conservative). Bentham: Linda Brockbank (Conservative); John Howard Matthew (Labour); Tim Stannard (Independent). Gargrave and Malhamdale: Nick Parker (Labour); Alan Sutcliffe (Conservative). Glusburn: Philip Barrett (Independent); Patricia Bartlett (Conservative); Paul Routledge (Labour). Hellifield and Long Preston: Chris Moorby (Conservative); John Edward Pope (Labour). Ingleton and Clapham: Janine Bickerstaff (Labour); Carl Lis (Conservative); Tony Macaulay (Independent); Sarah Wiltshire (Green). Penyghent: Bernard Michael Akin (UKIP); Virpi Kettu (Labour); Richard Welch (Conservative). Settle and Ribblebanks: Simon Lord (Labour); Tony Smith (UKIP); David Staveley (Conservative). Sutton-in-Craven: Tony Alderson (Labour); Stephen Place (Independent).

Lothersdale Parish Council: Christopher Cowgill, Michael Cullen, Edwin Michell (Independent); Kevin Narey, John Sipling, Simon Ward.

Ingleton Parish Council: Sue Brash, Victoria Brown, John Emsley, Glenis Gaunt (Independent); Matthew Howson, Carl Lis, Tony Macaulay (Independent); David McGonnigal, Jonny McKenzie, John Metcalfe, Paul Weaire, Andy Weller (Local Resident).