THERE are 20 seats available on Corsham Town Council and 24 contenders vying for a place this year.

History has already been re-written this month as the British National Party will be represented on the town council for the first time after taking an uncontested seat.

The biggest battle this year is set to take place over the Corsham ward itself as ten hopefuls have put themselves forward with just seven seats up for grabs.

In addition, there are also two seats for the taking in the Gastard ward with three contenders, three in the Neston ward with only two contenders and seven in the Pickwick ward with eight contenders.

There is one seat in Rudloe which will be taken by BNP representative Michael Simpkins after his opponent Elaine Marston withdrew.

This year, the BNP is fielding two other candidates for the town council.

BNP Wiltshire organiser Mike Howson is one among eight candidates going for seats on the Pickwick ward and Christopher Deacon, also of the BNP, will run for the Corsham ward.

The current makeup of the council consists of four Labour members, four Liberal Democrats, one Conservative, one member of the Green party and ten Independents.

However, the balance of power is not an issue as such on the council, which is run on a non-political basis.

This year there will be four Labour party members in the running, as well as two Liberal Democrats, ten Independents, three BNP and five non affiliates.