Matlock Mercury voters are set to take to the polling booths

Constituents will be taking to the polls as they vote to make their voices heard during the general and local elections on May 7.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th May 2015, 14:14 BST

MPs and parliamentary candidates have been campaigning for the General Election on May 7 as polls indicate one of the most tightly fought contests in history.

The economy, the NHS, education, immigration and Europe and Scotland are the issues on which seats could be secured, won or lost regionally and nationally.

The Derbyshire Dales has become renowned as a Conservative stronghold which has been held by the Tories since 1950. Tourism is one of its main incomes with Chatsworth House and the Peak District. The 2010 General Election was won by the Conservatives with 52.1 per cent of the vote.

Derbyshire Dales candidates include Patrick McLoughlin (Con), Andy Botham (Lab), Ben Fearn (Lib Dem), Ian Wood (Green), John Young (UKIP), Amila Y’Mech (Humanity). For an elections’ breakdown and for results as they happen keep posted to the Matlock Mercury website www.matlockmercury.co.uk for details.