The countdown to polling day in Winchester began on Tuesday as the candidates in this year's city council elections were announced.

Of the 57 seats in the council chamber, 20 will be contested on Thursday, May 1st.

Three of the eight members of the Liberal-Democrat-run cabinet are up for re-election this year.

Kelsie Learney, member for finance, will be defending her ward in Littleton and Harestock.

Sue Nelmes, who is responsible for the council's "best value" programme, is standing in the St Bartholomew ward in Winchester.

The final cabinet member standing for re-election is James Wagner, who is campaigning in Colden Common and Twyford ward.

New members will be elected in Owslebury and Curdridge, and the St Luke area of Winchester, where David Mackenzie and David Atwell - both Lib-Dems - are not standing.

A by-election is being held in Droxford, Soberton and Hambledon after Conservative member, Caroline Dinenage, resigned last month.

The Liberal-Democrats currently have 35 council seats, are defending 12, Conservatives 14, Independents five, and Labour three - and none of the latter are being contested.

List of candidates

- asterisk denotes

standing member

Bishop's Waltham: Jillian Blackmore (Lib-Dem), *Colin Chamberlain (Ind), Stephen Haines (Lab), Sally Lees (Con).

Colden Common and Twyford: Peter Facey (Con), Clare McKenna (Lab), *James Wagner (Lib-Dem).

Compton and Otterbourne: Murray McMillan (Con), *Peter Mason (Lib Dem), Kathleen Smith (Lab).

Denmead: Adrian Field (Lab), Alan Slade (Lib-Dem), *Patricia Stallard (Con).

Droxford, Soberton and Hambledon (by-election): Anthony Coates (Con), Albert Edwards (Lab), Margaret Scriven (Lib-Dem).

Itchen Valley: Denise Baker (Lab), *Neil Baxter (Con), David Keston (Lib-Dem).

Littleton and Harestock: James Duddridge (Con), Elaine Fullaway (Lab/Co-op), *Kelsie Learney (Lib-Dem).

Owslebury and Curdridge: Timothy Curran (Lab), Clive Mansell (Con), Ian Merritt (Lib-Dem).

St Barnabas (Winchester): Eileen Berry (Con), *John Higgins (Lib-Dem), Simon Woolfenden (Lab).

St Bartholomew (Winchester): Denis Archdeacon (Lab), Stephen Brine (Con), Philip Butterworth (Ind), *Sue Nelmes (Lib-Dem).

St John and All Saints (Winchester): Antony De Peyer (Lab/Co-op), *Ann Jones (Lib-Dem), Peter Rees (Lab), Richard Worrall (Con).

St Luke (Winchester): Heather House (Ind), Jacey Jackson (Lib-Dem), Peter Rees (Lab), Richard Worrall (Con).

St Michael (Winchester): Susan Chesters (Lib-Dem), Debra Grech (Lab), *Fiona Mather (Con).

St Paul (Winchester): *Geoff Bennetts (Lib-Dem), Ian Jones (Con), Carol Orchard (Lab).

Swanmore and Newtown: Sarah Bradby (Lib-Dem), Denis May (Lab), Frank Pearson (Con).

The Alresfords:Robin Atkins (Lab), *Ernest Jeffs (Con), Valerie Miller (Lib-Dem).

Upper Meon Valley: *Christine Quar (Con), Tessa Valentine (Lab), Diana Vear (Lib-Dem).

Whiteley: Michael Chaplin (Lab), Caroline Watts (Con), *Patrick Wright (Lib-Dem).

Wickham: *Phil Clohosey (Lib-Dem), David Picton-Jones (Lab), Graeme Quar (Con).

Wonston and Micheldever: *Richard Bayley (Lib-Dem), Nigel Lickley (Lab), Malcolm Wright (Con).