THE Selby election promises to be particularly unpredictable as the Conservatives attempt to wrest control from Labour after eight years.

The fine balance of the current council could be upset by substantial changes to ward boundaries and the decision of many familiar faces to stand down, making way for fresh blood.

In total, there are 80 candidates vying for the 41 seats across the 20 wards which will make up Selby District from May 1.

There are 29 wards currently and the amalgamation of areas such as Riccall with Escrick and South Milford with Monk Fryston could spring up

surprises.

As usual, the candidate list is dominated by Labour and Conservative hopefuls.

At present, Selby District is narrowly controlled by Labour who have 18 seats to the Conservatives’ 16. There are seven independent candidates, their numbers swollen in recent months due to two defections from Labour.

The Liberal Democrats have just three candidates but are looking to pick up seats in Barlby, Tadcaster East and Tadcaster West. Candidates are:

Appleton Roebuck – Eric Beechey (Lab); Brian Percival (Con).

Barlby – Stephanie Duckett (Lab); David Fagan (Con); Alan Hartley (Lib Dem); Brian Marshall (Lab). Brayton – Ian Chilvers (Con); Mark Crane (Con); Bill Martin (Lab); Susan Martin (Lab); Iain Nutt (Con); Anthony Thurlow (Lab).

Camblesforth – John Bedworth (Lab); Margaret Hulme (Con); Maria Morris (Con); Rodney Price (Lab).

Cawood with Wistow – John Cattanach (Con); Jonathan Meehan (Con); William Tinsley (Lab).

Eggborough – Paul Harvey (Lab); Nicholas Lapish (Con); John McCartney (Ind).

Fairburn with Brotherton – Keith Bradley (Con); Jack Crawford (Lab); Peter Dryburgh Smith (Con); Roy Wilson (Lab).

Hambleton – Dean Howson (Lab); Sylvia Long (Lab); Clifford Lunn (Con); Christopher Pearson (Con); Rodney Possnett (Lab); Ruth Sayner (Con).

Hemingbrough – Roland Chilvers (Ind); Stephen Gillett (Lab); David McSherry (Con); Kathleen McSherry (Con); Jan Strelczenie (Lab).

Monk Fryston and South Milford – Robert Collins (Con); Barry Johnson (Lab); John Mackman (Con); James Snowball (Lab).

North Duffield – Maurice Patrick (Ind).

Riccall with Escrick – Jean Bills (Lab); Elizabeth Ann Casling (Con); John Duggan (Lab); Fay Ryan (Con). Saxton and Ulleskelf – Jean Ashton (Con); John Chambers (Lab); Melanie Davis (Lab); Winifred May (Lab); Steven Shaw-Wright (Lab); Ann Erskine (Con); Patricia Thirsk (Con). Selby South – Doreen Davies (Lab); Wendy Nichols (Lab);Stanley Palmer (Con); Mark Dawson (Con). Selby West – George Carter (Lab); Joyce Dyson (Con); Graham Gatman (Lab); Wally Norton (Con). Sherburn-in-Elmet – George Croston (Lab); William Martin (Lab); Geoffrey Morley (Con); Robert Packham (Lab); Richard Paddison (Ind); Anita Wilson (Con). Tadcaster East – Edward Mansfield (Lab); Christopher Metcalfe (Con); Roderic Parker (Lib Dem); Gordon Spencer (Con). Tadcaster West – Donald Bain-Mackay (Con); James Fawcett (Con); Robert Hutchinson (Lib Dem); Gregory Lodge (Lab); Richard Sweeting (Ind). Whitley – Jack Davie (Lab); Gillian Ivey (Con); David Peart (Con); John Vause (Lab).