THERE will be no Liberal Democrat candidates standing for council seats in Christchurch.

And the number of UKIP candidates tops 16 - the most the party have ever put forward for a Christchurch borough council election.

See all the candidates standing in Christchurch here 

In the last council elections in 2011, UKIP forwarded only six candidates - three of them in the West Highcliffe ward.

And four years ago, the Liberal Democrats put up 11 candidates across Christchurch.

Currently Christchurch council is made up of 22 Conservative councillors, led by Cllr Ray Nottage, and two Independents - Cllr Colin Bungey and Cllr Fred Neale.

The Tories will be putting up 24 candidates, most of whom are existing councillors.

Highcliffe councillor Myra Mawbey will be standing down, with Vicki Hallam fighting her seat for the Conservatives.

In Jumpers, which is currently held by Independents, Colin Bungey and Fred Neale, Norma Fox, former Mayor of Christchurch and widow of the late councillor David Fox, will be standing for the Tories alongside Will Edwards.

Conservative councillors, Mike Duckworth, from Mudeford and Friars Cliff, and Cllr Gillian Geary, from the Town Centre ward are also standing down.

Labour have 20 candidates, compared to their 11 in 2011. Locally, the party will see two candidates in every ward except Purewell and Stanpit and the Town Centre.

And the Green Party have six candidates across Grange ward, Jumpers, Purewell and Stanpit and the Town Centre.

There are three Independent candidates standing - including the current two Jumpers councillors, and Brian Taylor in Burton.