The Conservative candidates set to stand for Gravesham in the next local election have been unveiled.

Five local party members are vying for votes at the Kent County Council elections scheduled for next year.

Local elections take place every four years and the next will take place on May 6, 2021.

Gravesham is currently split across three zones known as electoral divisions. They are Gravesend East, Gravesham Rural, and Northfleet and Gravesend West.

“The people of Gravesham know what they want," said Gravesham Conservatives chairman, Tony Rice. "They want dedicated, capable, selfless councillors who are willing to give 100% on their behalf.

"With KCC being such a huge local authority, these candidates understand exactly how big a challenge they face.

"We all know that KCC is responsible for the very things that matter in our lives; things such as education, children’s services, adult social care, and of course, local public health services for us all.

"The candidates have been through a rigorous selection process and I’m delighted that the people of Gravesham will have the opportunity to consider them as their representatives.”

Among those standing are Cllr Bryan Sweetland, who currently represents the Gravesham Rural Division.

He said: “Over the last eight years as a KCC Councillor, I’ve come to understand what matters to people living in Gravesham Rural, such as protecting our Green Belt from inappropriate development, the problems of fly-tipping in our lanes, rat run speeding traffic through our villages and losing more countryside to the Lower Thames Crossing.

"I’m pleased with the successes so far, like getting the new Meopham Library built and refurbishment of most of the village halls and community centres.”

Cllr Diane Marsh will stand in Gravesend East where she was first elected at a by-election in 2016, before retaining her seat in 2017.

She said: "Time has flown by while I have been serving my local residents and Kent as a whole, representing them on highways, social care, mental health and all other matters to 'trees and bees’.

"If re-elected, I will continue to push forward on my mission to make key services fully accessible to those that need them”

Cllr Marsh will be joined by Cllr Alan Ridgers who is also standing in Gravesend East, which sends two councillors to KCC.

“I was elected to Kent County Council four years ago and it was been an honour to represent the people of Gravesend East during that time," said Cllr Ridgers.

"Kent is a huge county with over 1.5 million residents. There will be many pressing issues in the future like roads, housing, education and healthcare and it is important the views of the people of Gravesham are known and represented at county level.”

Elsewhere Cllr Conrad Broadley, a keen maritime campaigner, is standing for Northfleet and Gravesend West.

He said: "I live in Northfleet and I’m a passionate campaigner for our area. I organise litter picks, campaign for our green spaces, help residents on wide ranging issues like antisocial behaviour and housing.

"I’m also an active campaigner for our maritime and built heritage. I firmly believe that actions that make the difference, not words and reports.”

Also seeking election for the same area is Cllr Gary Harding.

He said: “Very real problems are experienced daily by people in our community and nothing excites me more than working on the front line, like supporting the homeless by collecting and delivering food and clothes.

"I’m proud to serve as a local councillor in Gravesham and if elected to County Hall I will be even prouder to extend my support to the people of Kent who need access to solutions and services.”

The five hopefuls will officially become candidates when the notice of poll has been called and their nomination papers are accepted in March 2021.

Kent County Council is led by 81 democratically elected councillors, also known as members, elected every four years.

To find out more information click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend