NOMINATIONS have closed for the General Election, starting the final countdown to polling day on May 7.

Candidates had until 4pm yesterday to hand in their nomination papers, and with a record number of candidates from smaller parties entering the fray, the total number standing across the UK is expected to outstrip the record 4,150 who competed last time in 2010.

York Central will see a seven-horse race, following the retirement of long-serving Labour MP Hugh Bayley.

Rachael Maskell will seek to retain the seat for the party, challenged by Tory Robert McIlveen, Lib Dem Nick Love, UKIP's Ken Guest, Green Jonathan Tyler, Megan Ollerhead of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) and Chris Whitwood, of A Voice for the Region.

York Outer will see four candidates contesting against Tory Julian Sturdy in his attempt to hold on to the seat - UKIP's Paul Abbott, Lib Dem James Blanchard, Labour's Joe Riches and Green Ginnie Shaw.

At Thirsk and Malton, where Tory MP Anne McIntosh was de-selected by her party last year, Kevin Hollinrake's bid to become the new Conservative MP will be challenged by six other contenders - Lid Dem Di Keal, Liberal John Clark, Labour's Alan Avery, UKIP's Toby Horton, Green Chris Newsam and Independent Philip Tate.

Meanwhile, Tory Nigel Adams will be fighting to hold the Selby and Ainsty constituency against five challengers - Labour's Mark Hayes, UKIP's Colin Heath, Green Ian Richards, Lib Dem Nicola Turner and Ian Wilson of the TUSC.

Nationwide, the three major parties said they were expecting to be represented in every seat in England, Scotland and Wales, while the Greens said that they would contesting most English and Welsh seats, more than ever before, and Ukip said it was aiming to stand in at least 620 seats - up from 572 in 2010.

Polling will take place between 7am and 10pm on May 7, with residents who are not currently registered to vote being encouraged by City of York Council to visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, with all applications having to be made by April 20.

Residents who wish to arrange a postal vote can find further information at www.york.gov.uk or by contacting Electoral Services on 01904 551007 or electoral.services@york.gov.uk. Completed applications for a postal vote must be received by 5pm on April 21.


General Election candidates in key constituencies:

York Central
Ken Guest (UKIP); Nick Love (Lib Dem); Rachael Maskell (Lab); Robert McIlveen (Con); Megan Ollerhead (TUSC); Jonathan Tyler (Green); Chris Whitwood (Voice For The Region)

York Outer
Paul Abbott (UKIP); James Blanchard (Lib Dem); Joseph Riches (Lab); Ginnie Shaw (Green); Julian Sturdy (Con*)

Thirsk and Malton
Alan Philip Avery (Lab); John Clark (Lib); Kevin Hollinrake (Con); Toby Horton (UKIP); Di Keal (Lib Dem); Chris Newsam (Green); Philip James Tate (Ind).

Selby and Ainsty
Nigel Adams (Con*); Mark Hayes (Lab); Colin Heath (UKIP); Ian Richards (Green); Nicola Turner (Lib Dem); Ian Wilson (TUSC).

East Yorkshire
Robert Adamson (Lib Dem); Stewart Arnold (Yorkshire First); Kevin Hickson (Labour); Greg Knight (Con*); Mark Maloney (Green); Stephanie Todd (UKIP).

* denotes sitting MP