The nominations for the 2021 Suffolk County Council elections have been officially announced.

With Liberal Democrat David Wood standing down the Peninsula Division will vote in a new ward member on May 6.

Alastair McCraw, standing as an Independent candidate, is currently serving a second term as a Babergh district councillor, where he is chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, he is also the chairman of Brantham parish council, and lives in the village.

Conservative candidate Mary McLaren is also a Babergh councillor, representing the Stour ward and lives in Capel St Mary.

Simon Harley, is the Green Party's candidate, and lives in Tattingstone.

The Labour Party have selected Keith Rawlings as their candidate.

Meanwhile, the four candidates contesting this year's police and crime commissioner election for Suffolk have been unveiled.

The candidates are:

Tim Passmore (Conservative)

James Sandbach (Liberal Democrat)

Mr Passmore is defending the role for the Conservatives, having held the seat since its inception in 2012.

However, Ms Hughes and Mr Sandbach are familiar faces, having stood for seats in general elections in Suffolk in previous years – including last time around in December 2019.

The PCC election takes place on Thursday, May 6 this year, with the results being counted on Saturday, May 8 and declared from Lowestoft the same day.

The polls were meant to take place in 2020 under the usual four-year election cycle. However, the Covid-19 pandemic meant that had to be postponed until this year.

PCCs are elected representatives in England and Wales who hold their area's constabulary to account, set precept levels and ensure their area's police force is run effectively and in a manner transparent to the public it serves.