Sixteen of the 48 seats on West Oxfordshire District Council are up for grabs next week.

Ahead of the elections, the political balance of the council was: Conservatives, 38 seats; Liberal Democrats, six; Independents, two; Labour, one; with one vacantcy.

The largely rural district has a population of about 96,000 people, with 40,000 of them living in the towns of Witney and Carterton.

Conservative cabinet member Hilary Hibbert-Biles is fighting to hold her seat at Ascott and Shipton against John Gittings, of the Labour and Co-operative Party.

The two seats in Witney, South and East, will be hotly contested.

Town mayor James Mills, 34, is bidding to retain his seat as a Conservative councillor for Witney East, which he has held since 2006.

He said: “With electors’ support, I hope to continue to be a strong voice for the local community.”

Other contenders for Witney East are Mark Balaam, of the Liberal Democrats, Green Paul Creighton, and Duncan Enright, of the Labour and Co-operative Party.

In Witney South, David Harvey is also aiming to keep the seat in Tory hands. He has represented the ward for 12 years.

Other candidates for the ward are Andrew Coles, of the Labour Party, Sandra Simpson, from the Green Party, and Liberal Democrat Paul Slamin.

In Carterton North West, Tory Maxine Crossland, Anthony Barrett, of the Green Party, and David Wesson, a Labour and Co-operative Party candidate, are standing.

The winner here will replace former Conservative councillor Dave King, who died suddenly in October last year. The seat has been vacant since then.

In the adjacent Brize Norton and Shilton ward, independent candidate Shane Rae will be battling against Conservative Verena Hunt.

Publishing manager Mr Rae said: “The Conservative council wants to build a further 1,000 homes in Brize Norton and Shilton.

“I am opposed to the urbanisation of the communities surrounding Carterton.

“Our villages are worth preserving for present and future generations.”

In Burford, there are three candidates fighting for the right to represent the town and nearby villages.

Conservative candidate Derek Cotteril is hoping to hold his seat, which is being contested by David Heyes, of the Labour and Co-operative Party, and Lib Dem John Lilly.

Mr Cotterill said: “I have a close interest in local life and activities and have worked hard on behalf of residents of Burford, Fulbrook and Taynton.”