THE names of the candidates standing in this year’s Devon County Council elections have been released.

The poll will take place on Thursday, May 1, even though the council will most likely cease to exist soon amid an overhaul of local government.

The government plans to streamline local democracy by creating large “unitary” councils instead of the county and district council system currently in place in most of Devon.

Devon County Council had asked the government to postpone the polls in May but was denied.

The Crediton division, which covers Crediton, Copplestone, Bow, Cheriton Bishop and Venny Tedburn, is currently held by Liberal Democrat councillor Frank Letch MBE.

Standing for election to replace him are Charles Errington Beazley for Reform UK, Jim Cairney for the Liberal Democrats, Conservative Angus Howie, Wesley Mitchell for the Heritage Party - Keep our Countryside Green, Robert Harper Rickey for the Green Party, independent Rebecca Emily Sales, and Paul Michael Vincent for the Labour Party.

The Creedy, Taw and Mid Exe division, which covers Newton St Cyres, Thorverton, Silverton, Bickleigh, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Morchard Bishop, Chawleigh, Coldridge, Lapford, Zeal Monachorum and Down St Mary, is currently held by Conservative councillor Margaret Squires.

Standing for election to replace her are Polly Colthorpe for the Conservatives, John William Dean for the Labour Party, Andy Hankins for Reform UK, and Steve Keable for the Liberal Democrats.

The South Molton division, which includes Witheridge and East Worlington, is currently held by Conservative councillor Jeremy Yabsley.

Standing for election to replace him are Conservative Paul John Henderson, Steven William Hinchcliffe for the Labour Party, Richard Leonard Alan Hopley for Reform UK, Gill Saunders for the Green Party, and David John Worden for the Liberal Democrats.

The Chulmleigh and Landkey division is currently held by Conservative councillor Paul Henderson.

Standing to replace him are Valerie Jean Cann for the Labour Party, independent Faye Marion Davies, Glyn Lane for the Conservatives, Casey Ryback for Reform UK, David James Smale for the Green Party, and Ed Tyldesley for the Liberal Democrats.

The Torrington Rural division, which includes Winkleigh, is currently held by Conservative councillor Andrew Saywell.

Standing to replace him are Liana Alexander Raye for Reform UK, Cheryl Lavinia Cottle-Hunkin for the Liberal Democrats, Deborah Charlotte Darling for the Labour and Co-operative Party, Thomas John Elliott for the Conservative Party, and Colin Jones for the Green Party.

The Hatherleigh and Chagford division, which includes North Tawton and Sampford Courtenay, is currently held by Conservative councillor and Devon County Council leader James McInnes.

Standing to replace him are Thomas Ben Colliety for the Labour Party, Lynn Christine Daniel for the Green Party, Sue Davies for Reform UK, Christian Adam Martin for the Liberal Democrats, and Lois Esther Samuel for the Conservative Party.

The Chudleigh and Teign Valley division, which includes Tedburn St Mary, is currently held by Conservative councillor Jerry Brook.

Standing to replace him are Olly Giddings for the Green Party, Richard Michael Keeling for the Liberal Democrats, Tessa Tucker for the Conservative Party, Terry Tume for Reform UK, and Rick Webb for the Labour Party.

The Exminster and Haldon division, which includes Whitestone, is currently held by Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Connett.

Cllr Connett is standing for re-election. The other candidates are Alex Johnstone for Reform UK, Kevin Lake for the Conservative Party, Ollie Pearson for the Labour Party, and Ben Temperton for the Green Party.

The deadline for voters to register is Friday, April 11. Postal vote applications must be in by 5pm on April 14. Proxy vote applications must be made by 5pm on Wednesday, April 23.

You must bring photo ID to the polling station when you go to vote.