LIBERAL Democrats will only need to win three seats in this Thursday's election for Dorchester town council.

The candidates in two of the wards will not be fighting an election – after not enough candidates came forward to make residents in those areas have to go to the polls, although they will be voting in elections for Dorset Council seats in both areas.

All of the eight candidates in both the North ward and the South ward will take up their seats on the Liberal Democrat controlled council without a fight – the party needing to win three other seats to maintain its majority on the 20-seat council.

All but one of those being returned without a contest have previously served as town councillors, the newcomer being Vanessa Lloyd-Jones.

The majority of existing town councillors are standing again at the election this Thursday.

Among those not seeking re-election is the current Mayor Alistair Chisholm who, as an Independent, has been one of the few non Lib Dem councillors. Also stepping down are Barry Armstrong Marshall, Tim Harries and Susie Hosford.

The full list of candidates for the May 2 election –

East Ward (5 seats) – Poppy Farmer Green; Katy Jones Independent; Stella Jones Lib Dem; Fiona Kent-Ledger Lib Dem; Mel Lane Lib Dem; Rory Major Lib Dem; Kate Reid Lib Dem; Barry Thompson Labour.

North Ward (4) – Sue Biles Lib Dem; Andy Canning Lib Dem; Vanessa Lloyd-Jones Lib Dem; David Taylor Lib Dem.

Poundbury (4) – Richard Biggs Lib Dem; William Gibbons Independent; Frances Hogwood Lib Dem; David Leaper Lib Dem; Mark Penfold Local Conservatives; Peter Stein Local Conservatives.

South (3) – Gareth Jones Lib Dem; Robin Potter Lib Dem; Molly Rennie Lib Dem.

West (4) – Les Fry Independent; Jed Germodo Lib Dem; Janet Hewitt Lib Dem; Ralph Ricardo Lib Dem; Claudia Sorin Labour; Andrew Wyatt Labour.