WEYMOUTH and Portland Mayor David Harris will not contest local government elections on May 1 because he was too ill to sign his nomination papers.

Liberal Democrat Mr Harris, who represents the town's Westham North ward, appeared to be recovering from hospital treatment for a blood clot near his brain, but this week had to be rushed back for further treatment in Southampton when the blood clot returned.

His wife, Jenny, said his condition there was stable' and she added: "It was his intention to stand for re-election but medical circumstances prevented him from signing the forms."

His colleague Brian Ellis, who is standing down from the council, said that former borough councillor Graham Winter would now contest Westham North for the Liberal Democrats.

He added: "If at a later date David wishes to resume his position on the council then that will be a matter for future party discussion."

Another familiar face who will be missing on election night is Les Ames, a borough councillor for more than 30 years, who is standing down from the Tophill West ward on Portland that he has represented for so long.

Also missing will be Labour councillor Kay Wilcox in Weymouth West and Liberal Democrat George Molyneux in Radipole.

Nominations have now closed for the elections and candidates have until noon next Wednesday to decide if they wish to withdraw their nomination, after which the Notice of Poll will be published.

More than 42,000 people are eligible to vote in Weymouth and Portland where candidates will contest 12 seats comprising one-third of the total borough council. A 13th seat - caused by the death of Lib Dem councillor Lynne Herbert - will also be contested.

Residents are already guaranteed at least six new councillors including one in Melcombe Regis to succeed Mrs Herbert and a new member in Preston to replace Mr Ellis who is not seeking re-election because he is to become a church minister.

There will be no elections this year in the wards of Tophill East, Upwey and Broadwey and Wey Valley.

Election votes will be counted on the evening of May 1 in the Ocean Room at Weymouth Pavilion.

Currently the council is made up of 14 Conservative seats, 10 Liberal Democrat, six Labour, five Independent councillors and one vacant seat.

The authority is a hung council with no political party in overall control since 1979.

The next borough council elections will not be until 2010. None will be held in 2009 when county council elections are due.

Those not already registered as electors for 2008 can phone 01305 838000 until April 16 to register to vote.

Nine of the 24 seats on Purbeck District Council will also be contested including six Conservative-held seats and three Liberal Democrat.

Parties go into the election with the council made up of 12 Tories, nine Liberal Democrats and two Independents with one vacant seat at Lytchett Matravers which had been held by a Liberal Democrat.

The seats up for election include Wareham, Wool, the St Martin area north of Wareham, north and south Swanage, Lytchett Matravers and Lytchett Minster and Upton.

  • Weymouth and Portland election seats will be contested by the following candidates.

A * denotes a councillor standing for re-election.

Littlemoor: Simon Jonathan Bowkett* (Lab), Ronald Ross Peattie (Con).

Melcombe Regis: Maria Anne Blackwood (Lab), Peter Michael Farrell* (Lib Dem), Grant Michael Leighton (Con), John Michael Liles (Lib Dem), Justine Emma Marriott (Lab), Paul John McIntosh (Green Party), Derek Model (Con).

Preston: Maureen Audrey Drake (Lab), Dominic James Lonsdale (Con), David George Mannings (Lib Dem).

Radipole: Ralph Anthony Johnson (Con), Matt Pitman (Lab), Ian Roebuck (Lib Dem).

Tophill West: Amanda Michelle Alsop (Con), Jo Atwell (Lab), Gareth Duncan (Ind).

Underhill: Richard David Denton-White (Ind), Margaret Caroline Gadd (Con), Tim Munro* (Ind), Sandy West (Lab).

Westham East: Howard Richard Legg* (Lib Dem), Stewart Barrie Pearson (Lab), Liisa Kirsten Wallace (Con).

Westham North: Lindsay Mary Drage (Lab), David Jonathon Wallace (Con), Graham Stanley Ernest Winter (Lib Dem).

Westham West: Margaret Joyce Alsop (Con), Gill Taylor (Lib Dem), Kate Wheller* (Lab).

Weymouth East: Richard John Baker (Lab), John Birtwistle (Lib Dem), Nigel Reed* (Con).

Weymouth West: Andy Blackwood (Lab), Sonia Ellen Cash (Con).

Wyke Regis: Doug Hollings* (Con), Colin John Huckle (Lab).