Aberdeenshire’s Scottish Conservative party has unveiled a record number of candidates in an attempt to regain control of the council in May’s election.
The local party has been buoyed by recent successes in Scottish parliamentary elections and local authority by-elections.
Last year, five Conservatives MSPs were sent to Holyrood from the north-east – an increase of three from 2011 – and the group has also won three council ward by-elections during the past 16 months.
Now, Conservative group leader Jim Gifford is hoping to take control of the body he previously led until a SNP-Labour coup two years ago.
Mr Gifford said: “We are entering this election campaign in good spirits and with high expectations and ambition.
“We have had an extensive selection process across Aberdeenshire and will be fielding at least 23 candidates on May 4.
“We have an impressive list of people standing in all 19 wards with a great spread of returning, experienced councillors and a raft of new people with a broad range of backgrounds and experience.”
Joining Mr Gifford in seeking re-election to the Woodhill House chamber are existing members Michael Roy, Mark Findlater, Gillian Owen, Ron McKail, Moira Ingleby, Wendy Agnew and George Carr.
Last year’s by-election victors – Colin Clark and Iain Taylor – will be contesting the Inverurie and Turriff wards respectively.
They will be joined by former councillor Sandy Wallace who is standing for election again in Stonehaven.
This year’s first-time candidates are Andy Kille, Dianne Beagrie, Alan Fakley, Marion Buchan, Sebastian Leslie, Dominic Lonchay, Alistair McKelvie, Robbie Withey, Paul Gibb, Ann Ross, Colin Pike and Jeff Hutchison.
Following the three by-elections, the Conservatives had a group of 17 councillors and Mr Gifford believes the team can improve on that figure in the new Aberdeenshire Council.
Boundary changes mean the number of councillors is being increased from 68 to 70 councillors this year.
The Conservative group forms part of the Alliance coalition along with the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Aberdeenshire’s Aligned Independents.
The Alliance ran the administration until 2015 when the SNP and Labour-led Partnership seized control at Woodhill House.
