The general election is dominating the news agenda but Sevenoaks voters will also get the chance to change how their district council is run on Thursday, May 7.

All of Sevenoaks District Council's 54 seats will be up for grabs.

The council chamber is currently awash with blue, with the Conservatives sitting in 47 seats.

Labour have four seats with the Lib Dems having two and just the one occupied by an independent.

Residents living in all 26 wards will vote for between one and three district councillors depending on the population of their area.

Once elected the councillors will form the full council, which is responsible for making decisions - with the help of paid officers.

They will make key decisions on things like planning applications, collecting rubbish, recycling and collecting council tax.

Councillors serve a four year term and in Sevenoaks they are elected all at once, unlike Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells where they are elected one third at a time.

Cllr Peter Fleming currently leads the council, a position he has held for six years.

The average turn out across the wards was 45% per cent, with 69% of voters ticketing Conservative on the ballot slip.

Labour had 14% of votes, a percentage shared with the Lib Dems.

Independent candidates received 2% of the vote with the Green Party 1%.

Ukip did not stand in any wards.

To view the list of this year's candidates, click here.