WOULD-BE councillors have two weeks to put themselves forward for the upcoming county council elections.

Formal notice was given on Monday for elections to Somerset County Council, which will take place on Thursday, May 4.

There are 55 seats available across the county when residents go to the polls - each giving people a chance to make a difference to their communities and to get involved in the huge range of services provided by the council.

A county councillor is elected by people to one of the electoral divisions in Somerset to represent them.

The county council is responsible for services including education, transport, social care and trading standards.

Somerset’s five district councils, including Taunton Deane, West Somerset and Sedgemoor, run the election process on behalf of the authority.

The seats are shared between the district council areas: Mendip 11 seats, Sedgemoor 12, South Somerset 17, Taunton Deane 11 and West Somerset four.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “The county council is responsible for a wide range of services, from repairing roads to supporting vulnerable older people, and these elections are the chance to choose who represents you on the authority.

"We want as many people as possible to cast their vote in May, so make sure you are registered and are ready to put your cross in the box”.

Residents are also being reminded to make sure they are registered to vote before the deadline of Thursday, April 13.

The deadline for nominations of those wishing to run as councillor is 4pm on Tuesday, April 4.

For more information about the elections, including who can stand, visit somerset.gov.uk/elections

To register to vote, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote

Nomination forms can also be obtained from each of the district council's offices and websites.