TWO new parties will be contesting wards in May 6's local elections.

The Reform Party, founded by Brexit Party's Nigel Farage in January, will fight four seats in the Hyndburn Borough poll and three in the Lancashire County Council elections.

The Social Democratic Party, reformed in 2018 30 years after the original one merged with the Liberals to form the Liberal Democrats, is fielding one candidate in the Burnley Borough poll.

The Reform Party has nominated Jake Allen in St Andrews ward, Wayne Fitzharris in Overton, Sarah Fitzharris in Netherton and Ian Robinson in Rishton in the Hyndburn Borough poll.

Mr Robinson and Mr Fitzharris will also contest the two county council seats up for election in the Great Harwood, Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors, and Altham division and Mr Allen the Oswaldtwistle ward.

The Social Democrats have put forward local graphic designer Mitchell Cryer as their candidate for Burnley Borough Council's Whittlefield with Ightenhill ward.

Reform Party organiser Mr Fitzharris said: "We stand for change, not for the sake of changing but because local politics does not listen to the people and takes for granted the votes they receive."

Mr Cryer said: “A vital part of the Burnley community, economy and housing sector are students and young professionals like myself. I want to make sure we are counted.”