SEVEN candidates are battling it out for two posts in the hotly-contested Consett North ward this week.

Political hot potatoes in the area have included the controversial decision to create a multi-million academy school and sports on the town’s Belle Vue site, where the Civic Centre once stood.

Opponents favoured the former steelworks at Berry Edge, but Durham County Council now has planning permission in place and has fended off legal challenges by Consett Green Spaces Group to block the development.

Existing councillor Owen Temple, a Liberal Democrat, who campaigned against using the Belle Vue site, is standing for re-election along with Clive Robson, a Labour Party candidate, who was in favour of it.

Former police officer and military charity campaigner Shaun Bailey is standing for the UK Independence Party.

Consett YMCA’s Prince Trust leader Sara-Jane Heslop is a candidate with the backing of the Labour Party, Consett woman Margaret Nealis is hoping to become a Liberal Democrat councillor, while former Derwentside District Councillor Mary Westgarth is standing for the Derwentside Independents.

The former district council leader, Alex Watson, is hoping to make his political comeback as an independent councillor after being a Labour Party member for many years.

The polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 2, and the votes will be counted, and the results announced, on the following afternoon.

For more information, visit durham.gov.uk/elections, visit a council customer access point or call 03000-261-212.