Tolleshunt D’Arcy is set to become the most contested ward of this year’s local elections.

In total, 31 seats make up the district council, with two seats per ward with the exception of Tollesbury, Tillingham and Maldon East, which only have one seat.

The current make up of the council stands at 27 Conservatives, three Independents and one Labour.

The highest number of people nominated for election in one ward is Tolleshunt D’Arcy, where seven candidates will be battling it out for just two seats.

Tories Elaine Bamford and Maddie Thompson, Lib Dem John Fairhurst, Labour’s Barry Jones, Green Party Jonathan King, Independent Robert Long and UKIP’s Gerald Munson will be fighting for votes.

The second wards most contested wards are Heybridge East and Burnham North, where six people have been nominated in each area.

In Tillingham and Tollesbury, three people are also fighting over one seat in each ward.

Meanwhile, nominated candidates for Purleigh may as well start popping the champagne now.

Tories John Archer and Sue White are the only people nominated for election for two seats.

Elected councillors are responsible for agreeing policies about provision of services and how the council's money is spent.

The council employs officers who are responsible for its day to day management.

Councillors are also there to represent the views of residents.

They are not paid a salary for their work, but they do receive allowances.