A WOMAN who claims to be the country's most famous virgin is standing in next month's local elections.

Sarah Jane Newbury, of Innox Road, Trowbridge, is standing as an independent candidate for West Wiltshire District Council's Trowbridge Central ward.

On her website, www.sarahjanenewbury.com , Miss Newbury, 49, details her ex-boyfriends, claims to have medical proof of her virginity and even says she would prefer not be a councillor as she is "non-political". She has appeared on several chat shows, including Trisha and This Morning, and is the sister of present communication and ICT portfolio holder Cllr Christopher Newbury, who is also standing in the elections, for the Mid Wylye Valley ward.

Two councillors will be selected from the Trowbridge Central ward, with Miss Newbury up against her friend and housemate Tony Durrant (Ind), Tory candidates George Chamulewicz and Geoffrey Whiffen and Lib Dem candidates Graham Hedley and Terry Couchman.

Other surprise candidates for the May 3 district council elections includes 62-year-old widower James McGee, of Holbrook Vale, Melksham, who is a candidate for Labour.

Mr McGee and his former wife Mary won the support of the prime minister's wife Cherie Booth, a QC, in their fight to stop cuts being made to her care. Mrs McGee died in January.

In west Wiltshire, 105 candidates will contest 44 seats in a new-look 24-ward structure.

Nomination papers reveal 11 current district councillors are not re-standing for election, including five Tories, five Lib Dems and one Labour councillor. Those not contesting their seat include Angie Barker (Lab, Melksham North), husband and wife Marion and John Clegg (Con, West Ham and Westbury Laverton), Bill Viles (Con, Manor Vale) and Duncan Hames (Lib Dem, Holt), who is the party's candidate for the Chippenham ward at the next General Election.

All members of the present cabinet are re-standing, including leader Sarah Content (Lib Dem) who is a candidate in the Melksham Without ward, along with Melksham mayor Margaret White (Lab), former council treasurer Roy While (Con) and Mr McGee.

At the moment the council is controlled by a Lib Dem/Independent alliance following a dramatic coup in May 2005, which saw veteran leader Tony Phillips overthrown on his 50th anniversary in local politics. He later described proceedings as a "Mad Hatter's Tea Party".

Cllr Phillips has rejoined the Tory party to stand for the district's Trowbridge and Southwick ward, where he will face competition from Bob Brice (Lib Dem).

The only councillor sure of re-election is former cabinet member Michael Mounde (Con) who is the only person nominated for the Shearwater ward.

For a full list of nominations click the links below:

West Wiltshire Nominations

North Wiltshire Nominations