Tunbridge Wells Borough Council could see a change in its political standing next month.

There will be 17 council seats up for grabs – 35% of its places.

Labour, Liberal Democrat and Ukip candidates will be angling for seats in the borough which is currently dominated by blue with 38 of the 48 spots held by Conservative councillors.

Three are held by Labour, three by the Lib Dems, two by Independents, one by Ukip councillor Victor Webb and one seat in Rusthall is unoccupied.

Ukip are campaigning hard in the area with 16 candidates standing.

Residents living in the 17 wards where there is an election will receive a second ballot slip when they visit their polling station.

This will be to select who they want to represent their interests at the council.

After the election there will be 48 councillors across a total of 20 wards.

Together they will make key decisions on things including planning applications, council tax and recycling. Councillors serve a four-year term. One third of the council is voted in at any one time.

Cllr David Jukes, a Conservative representative for Speldhurst & Bidborough, currently leads the council.

In last year’s election 46% of voters ticked conservative on the ballot slip. Ukip took 23% with 14% going to Liberal Democrat and 13% to Labour. Polling will take place for all wards on Thursday, May 7 between 7am and 10pm.

To register to vote go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote by midnight on Monday, while all postal vote requests must reach the Electoral Registration Office by 5pm on Tuesday.

For a full list of candidates visit: http://bit.ly/1J2ftEj