THE UK Independence Party is going all-out to secure their first ever Dorset County Council seat at next month’s elections.

Nominations for the elections on Thursday, May 2 closed at midday Friday and it has now been confirmed that UKIP are fielding candidates in 35 out of the 42 wards – more than the Liberal Democrats.

Both the Conservatives and the Labour Party are fielding 45 candidates, UKIP 38 and the Liberal Democrats 32.

There are 17 Green Party candidates, 6 Independents and one from the United People’s Party.

The British National Party attempted to field two candidates, one in Lytchett and one in Wareham, but in one case the nomination was deemed invalid and in the other it was withdrawn.

The county council is made up 45 elected members across 42 divisions in Dorset. The only areas without a UKIP candidate will be Hambledon, Linden Lea, Marshwood Vale, Broadwey, Lodmoor, Portland Harbour and Westham.