Independent pulls out of county challenge

Mr Chalmers had told the Observer of his intentions to fight for the county seat with policies based on the protection of Bexhill seafront from current regeneration plans and the need for Bexhillians to have a voice on the subject.

He officially announced he was stepping down via an e mail to the Observer office on Wednesday morning - two days after the official statement of nominees was released.

His decision leaves five remaining candidates for the post and a straight fight between the three main political parties.

Mr Chalmers said there were "a number of reasons" for his decision.

r WHEN Bexhill voters go to the polls on May 5 they will not only select their MP for the region, but also decide who should be the town's representatives at county level.

Bexhill is divided up into three electoral divisions for elections to East Sussex County Council; Bexhill West, Bexhill East and the newly created King Offa which returns two members.

The following candidates have been nominated;

Bexhill West: Brian Gadd (Conservative) and Trevor Smith (Lib Dem)

Bexhill East: Martin Kenward (Conservative) and Martyn Forster (Lib Dem)

King Offa: Ronald Dyason (Conservative), Graham Gubby (Conservative), Keith Bridger (Labour), Neil Francis (Lib Dem) and Stuart Wood (Lib Dem)

For profiles of the candidates see next week's Observer.