As nominations close at five o’clock this evening (Thursday) ahead of next month’s local authority general elections, a number of candidates have publicly declared their intentions to stand.

In Ramsey, husband and wife Brian and Sylvia Beattie will be defending their seats in the town’s north and south wards respectively.

They are standing as part of an alliance of candidates who share the same interests for the towns future.

They’ll be joined by chartered surveyor David Sugden in the north ward.

He believes the alliance has much to offer:

Commissioner Richard Radcliffe will also stand for re-election in Ramsey's south ward.

Meanwhile, two long-serving Douglas councillors have announced they’ll be seeking re-election.

Doreen Kinrade, a member of Athol Ward for the past 15 years has been chairman of the public health and housing committee for the last five years, while Richie McNicholl has been a councillor in Murray’s Ward for the same time and is chairman of the public works committee.

Meanwhile, Nigel Dobson is seeking re-election in Lonan as a member of the Liberal Vannin party.

And former Clerk Charles 'Buster' Lewin has declared in Braddan.