Competition for political power in Marlow will be fierce during next month’s election after a rise in the number of candidates standing for positions.

After profiling the candidates vying for position of Marlow’s MP last week, this week the Marlow Free Press will turn its attention to the council elections being held on the same day.

District and parish voting also takes place on May 7, with places on Wycombe District Council, Marlow Town Council and numerous parish councils around the town up for grabs.

The emergence of Ukip as a political force sees a big push by the euro-sceptic party, with five candidates throwing their hat in the political ring across both tiers of government.

It means big hitters such as current Wycombe District Council leader Richard Scott has stiff competition for his district council seat of Marlow South East, with seven candidates in total vying for two council places.

And former WDC leader Alex Collingwood goes up against eight opponents - including two from Ukip - for one of two places in the Marlow North and West ward.

Current Marlow mayor Suzanne Brown is stepping up to stand for the district council for the first time, replacing stalwart councillor Doug Anson as the Conservative Party candidate, after he decided to step down.

All the main parties are represented in Marlow's parish and district council votes, with the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Labour all fielding candidates and residents standing as indepedents.

The Marlow Free Press will be on hand to report all the movers and shakers during this year’s polling, both in the paper and online.