COMMUNITY groups have fielded a record number of candidates for the forthcoming Billingham Partnership elections.

The Billingham Partnership is leading efforts to regenerate the Billingham area, including Wolviston and the Clarences.

Nine candidates will contest the four voluntary sector seats on the board at the latest elections.

Harry Davies, the partnership's deputy chairman and a veteran activist in the town's voluntary sector, has announced his retirement and four of the sitting partners are being challenged.

The election will begin at 7pm tomorrow at New Life Resource Centre, Low Grange Avenue, Billingham, and a postal ballot will follow. The results will be posted at the end of next month.

The candidates for the partnership's voluntary sector are: Kevin Bowler, of Save Our Theatre; Aurea Brown, of Billingham Amateur Swimming Club; Cath Coldbeck, of Stockton and District Trades Union Council; Pat Ferguson, of Old Billingham Carnival and Garden Show; Jean Hanson, of the Forum Indoor Bowls Club; Joe Maloney, of Billingham International Folklore Festival; Councillor Ray McCall, of Billingham Ice Skating Club; Michael Oliver, of Billingham Marsh House Harriers; and Rita Stafford, of Stockton Stage Society.

The candidates for the community sector are: Geoffrey Bulmer, of Wolviston Court Community Association; Frank Crosby, of Billingham West Residents' Association; Geoffrey Harrison, of Low Grange Residents' Association; Ged McGuire, of Old Billingham Community Centre; and Brendan Shipley, of North Billingham Residents' Association