PROVIDING affordable homes to cope with the shortage of accommodation for local families, and helping to boost local job prospects are two of the platforms of candidates in Ryedale District Council elections next Thursday, May 3.

Some 47 candidates - 19 Conservatives, 18 Liberal-Democrats, eight Independents and two Liberals - are battling for 30 seats at Ryedale House. Currently there is no overall control of the authority with Conservatives having 13 seats, Independents eight, Liberal Democrats seven, and Liberals two.

All the candidates were out this week pressing the flesh and door knocking trying to win support, driving and walking scores of miles around Ryedale's vast countryside in what could be the last election of the authority if a unitary North Yorkshire council becomes a reality.

The three main groups are highlighting affordable housing, better job prospects, and the value of the voluntary sector in Ryedale.

The Liberal Democrats say RDC should be spending some of its £8 million reserves to benefit the community and are against the proposal for a new unitary council covering the whole of North Yorkshire says group leader Coun Howard Keal. His group is also keen to promote business parks and industry to create new jobs.

Coun Keith Knaggs, leader of the Conservative group, also advocates helping to create new jobs and to bring businesses with more varied and better-skilled employment opportunities. The group also wants to see a range of affordable homes provided and is keen to create "a greener Ryedale" and supporting leisure facilities in Ryedale.

For the Independents, Coun Robert Wainwright - one of five RDC members to have been returned unopposed - says working with young people and expanding the re-cycling facilities run by RDC, and helping to provide affordable rural transport are three of his group's priorities. In addition he says there is a need for starter units for small businesses.

The two Liberal candidates, both existing members of RDC, pledge to question the spending of public money "where it is not needed" and they oppose luxuries for councillors - "free drinks after full council meetings". They will press for a reduction of traffic in Ryedale, highlight environmental issues and work towards a reduction in greenhouse gases.

Polling will be from 7am to 10pm with the votes being counted the following day, starting at 10am.

We invited all the candidates to submit a 50-word pen portrait to help you decide - read them below and decide for yourself.