THE decline of rural communities has led to many parish councils failing to attract enough candidates to fill their seats at election time, a study has revealed.

Nearly two-fifths of grassroots local authorities are said to be suffering serious problems in finding people willing to serve their communities.

Researchers from the University of Aberystwyth, in Wales, analysed results from local elections in 1998, 1999 and 2000 to discover that, in 36 per cent of wards, fewer candidates were nominated than there were places available.

Contested elections were held in only 28 per cent of wards.

Experts claim the figures suggest that the number of wards with a shortage of candidates has doubled in the past decade and is now at an all-time high.

A controversial anti-sleaze code of conduct, imposed on parish councils by the Government, has already sparked crises in North Yorkshire.

Seven councillors in Aiskew and Leeming Bar have refused to sign up, fully recognising that they would be required to resign or be disqualified for failing to do so - leading to a real possibility the authority will not be able to fill all of its posts after the next elections.

Dr Michael Woods, who led the research team, said: "Parish and town councils are a vital part of grassroots democracy in Britain, but there is a serious shortfall of people willing to serve their community in this way.

"The growing number of smaller, rural parishes with a shortage of candidates is particularly striking.

"In the past, the absence of contests in villages indicated contentment- now the lack of candidates suggests the fragmentation of community life."