THE race is on for control of Cherwell District Council. 0n Thursday, May 4, those living in the north of the county will cast their votes.

A total of 45 candidates will battle to represent 18 seats.

Two Oxfordshire County Council by-elections are being held on the same day to elect representatives for Banbury Grimsbury and Castle and Eynsham after Rosemarie Higham and Harry Wyatt retired due to ill health.

Voting takes place between 7am and 10pm.

CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL Banbury Calthorpe (Held by Conservatives): Colin Clarke (Conservative) Henry Goodman (Labour) Suzanne Wilson-Huggins (Liberal Democrat)

Banbury Easington (Held by Conservatives): Pamela Linzey-Jones (Liberal Democrat) Kieron Mallon (Conservative) Lynne Shawyer (UK Independence Party) Martin Weir (Labour)

Banbury Grimsbury & Castle (Held by Conservatives): Choudry Anjum (Liberal Democrat) Andrew Beere (Labour) Margaret Cullip (Conservative)

Banbury Hardwick (Held by Conservatives): Frank Davies (Liberal Democrat) Neil Mepham (Labour) Stuart Robbins (Conservative)

Banbury Neithrop (Held by Labour): Alyas Ahmed (Conservative) Richard Doy (Labour) Peter Johnson (Liberal Democrat)

Banbury Ruscote (Held by Labour): Deborah Atsoparthis (Liberal Democrat) Elizabeth Macleod (Conservative) George Parish (Labour)

Bicester West (Held by Conservatives): Norman Bolster (Conservative) John Broad (Labour)

Bloxham & Bodicote (Held by Conservatives): Peter Davis (Liberal Democrat) Eric Heath (Conservative)

Cropredy (Vacant was held by Conservatives): Kenneth Atack (Conservative) Stephen Creed (Liberal Democrat)

Deddington (Held by Conservatives): Paul O'Sullivan (Conservative) Martin Squires (Liberal Democrat)

Fringford (Held by Conservatives): Nicholas Cotter (Liberal Democrat) Barry Wood (Conservative)

Kidlington North (Held by Liberal Democrats): Michael Hunt (Conservative) Chris Pack (Liberal Democrat)

Kidlington South (Held by Labour): Martin Keighery (Labour) Devena Rae (Liberal Democrat) Janet Warren (Green) Mary Young (Conservative)

Kirtlington (Held by Conservatives): Neil Godwin (Conservative) Andrew Murray (Liberal Democrat)

Otmoor (Held by Conservatives): Timothy Hallchurch (Conservative) Elisabeth Yardley (Liberal Democrat)

Sibford (Held by Conservatives): Janice Johnson (Liberal Democrat) George Reynolds (Conservative)

The Astons & Heyfords (Held by Conservatives): James Macnamara (Conservative) Neil Walton (Liberal Democrat)

Wroxton (Held by Conservatives): Anthony Burns (Liberal Democrat) Douglas Webb (Conservative) COUNTY BY-ELECTIONS

Eynsham (Vacant was held by Liberal Democrats): Charles Mathew (Conservative) Richard Kelsall (Labour) Stuart Brooks (Liberal Democrat) Xanthe Bevis (Green)

Banbury Grimsbury & Castle (Vacant was held by Conservatives); Choudry Anjum (Liberal Democrat) Carole Bonner (Conservative) Roy Mold (Labour)