OTLEY and Yeadon Green Party have selected their candidates for the forthcoming elections.

Standing for Leeds City Councillor again will be Mick Bradley, who is an existing Otley town councillor in Danefield ward.

He said:“I am proud to have been elected to represent Otley residents for the past seven years and am pleased that, having initiated the first flood study, the flood alleviation scheme is finally finished and has passed its first test.

"If elected to the Leeds City Council I would seek to improve the energy efficiency of many of our homes to reduce soaring energy bills while still keeping warm. Transport locally should be reliable and connected to rail services with through ticketing.”

Nicola James will be the Green candidate in the Ashfield ward town council by-election. She has lived and worked in Otley as a maths and science tutor for 12 years. Before this, she was a research scientist at university medical schools in London and Leeds.

She said: “I’m excited to stand in this by-election, if elected I would address the cost-of-living crisis by seeking to promote community-owned food and energy projects. We also need allotments north of the river.”

A Green Party spokesperson said: "Above all else at this troubled time please do vote and cherish our democracy."

Otley and Yeadon Green Party can be contacted at @OYGreenparty or Info@otleyandyeadon.greenparty.org.uk.

Meanwhile Leeds City Council has announced the full list of candidates standing for election this year.

The list of those standing to become councillors in the elections on Thursday, May 5 has been published today and can be seen at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/leeds-city-council-elections.

Anyone wanting to vote in the election who is not currently registered or has moved home should visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and registered before the deadline on Thursday 14 April.

Postal poll cards are now being issued to those currently registered to vote by post. Anyone wishing to begin voting this way can apply to do so via https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/postal-voting. The deadline for applications for postal voting is 5pm on Tuesday, April 19, and residents are being asked to apply as soon as possible to help manage demand.

Another option available is to vote by proxy, which can be applied for via www.leeds.gov.uk/elections. The deadline for applications to vote by proxy is 5pm on Tuesday, April 26.

The elections team can be contacted to address any issues using the helpline at 0113 222 4411 or by emailing electors@leeds.gov.uk.