CANDIDATES for next month’s Essex County Council election have been revealed.

All nine seats for the authority in Colchester are up for grabs, as well as the eight County Hall seats in Tendring when residents go to the polls on May 4.

The council is currently run by a Conservative administration, but seats in Colchester and Tendring are held by members from across the floor.

Colchester’s Abbey ward looks likely to be one of the most hotly contested as current Liberal Democrat member Margaret Donaldson Fisher is stepping down.

Borough councillors Lyn Barton (Lib Dem), Daniel Ellis (Con) and Lee Scordis (Lab) are standing in the ward, along with chairman of Colchester’s UKIP branch Ron Levy and Green party stalwart Mark Goacher.

A trio of popular borough councillors are standing against each other in the Maypole ward.

Dave Harris (Lab) will be defending his seat against Pauline Hazell (Con) who represents Shrub End on Colchester Council and Mile End stalwart Martin Goss (Lib Dem).

Other candidates are Bruno Hickman (UKIP) and Laura Poutney (Green).

In the Mersea and Tiptree ward housing campaigner John Akker – who is chairman of the STOP 350 group trying to prevent hundreds of homes being built on Mersea Island – is standing as an independent candidate.

Tory stalwart John Jowers, who is vice chairman of the county council, will be standing for the seat he holds and former Castle ward borough councillor Jo Hayes (Lib Dem) is also standing in the ward.

Ex-Colchester mayor Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem) is no longer standing for the Parsons Heath and East Gates area meaning the seat is up for grabs.

Current town centre member for the borough council Darius Laws (Con) is standing against John Baker (Lib Dem), Jason Berry (UKIP), Robert Brannan (Green) and Judy Short (Lab).

Labour councillor Julie Young has held the Wivenhoe St Andrew seat since 2001, but faces a challenge from Colchester Council cabinet member Mark Cory (Lib Dem).

Mr Cory is the portfolio holder for resources, roles and responsibilities on the borough council.

Former Tory candidate for Greenstead, which is included in the ward, Chris Hill is also standing as an independent.

Essex County Council’s deputy leader Kevin Bentley (Con) is standing again in the Stanway and Pyefleet ward.

Opposition includes borough councillor Jessica Scott-Boutell (Lib Dem) and former UKIP Parliamentary candidate John Pitts.

Last year Brightlingsea member Alan Goggin was deselected from standing by the Harwich, North Essex and Colchester Conservative Association after allegations about his “childish and unbecoming” behaviour.

However Mr Goggin appealed the decision and was completely exonerated, meaning he is free to stand in the ward.

Former Tendring Council leader Mick Page (Con) is stepping down from his seat in Frinton and Walton.

Vice chairman of Tendring Council Mark Platt will stand for the Conservatives in his place against Terry Allen (Tendring First), Simon Banks (Lib Dem), Susan Clutterbuck (Green), Richard Everett (UKIP) and Andy White (Lab).

For a full list of candidates click here.