CONTROVERSIAL hospital closures, stringent service cuts and local government secrecy are among the emotive issues likely to send thousands of South Lakelanders to the polling stations next month.

As one third of South Lakeland District Council, plus dozens of parish representatives, prepare to face the public vote on May 3, the political parties' battle lines have been drawn.

This year 17 rural wards are being contested in the district and while the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives are fielding a candidate in each, they could face stiff competition from the Save Our NHS Group.

The party has five candidates chasing seats in Grange, Burneside, Lakes Ambleside and Windermere and each has issued voters with a pledge to fight closures and cuts within the local medical sector, "tooth and nail".

In last year's round of elections all but one of the 18 seats up for grabs went to the Liberal Democrats, who took leadership of the council after 30 years of divided power.

While it proved a tough time for SLDC's Labour contingency, which saw all its standing candidates elbowed out, two new nominees - husband and wife Stephen Thomas and Helen Sowerby - are feeling confident.

Mrs Sowerby, 42, a Cumbria County Council solicitor who is contesting the Windermere Bowness North ward, said with unitary authority status on the cards, it was time for a "strong committed voice" on SLDC.

"It's time for open-ness in local government. One of the things my husband and I will be doing if we are elected, is lobbying for the Lake District National Park Authority to be directly elected. We must get rid of this secretiveness," she said.

Whatever the results on May 3 it will be all change for SLDC's conservative faction, with four long-serving members bidding council life farewell.

Of those retiring is Reg Parker, a representative for the Grange ward for 15 years. Meanwhile coun Richard Rollins, who ousted a long-standing Lib Dem in 2003 to take the Arnside and Beetham seat, is quitting his ward after moving to Lancaster.

While Coun Rollins is bidding for a place on Lancaster City Council instead, Kirkby Lonsdale farmer James Airey is crossing the border from LCC to chase a place in the Crooklands ward, which Tory colleague John Galbraith leaves this year after an 11 year stint on SLDC.

Well-known Windermere Lib Dem and vice chair of SLDC, Gill Cranwell, is also stepping down after 12 years to spend more time with her family and indulge her love of walking.

The retired teacher is pinning her hopes on a former student of hers, Hilary Stephenson, the Lib Dem challenging for Coun Cranwell's Windermere Bowness North ward.

"She will make a great councillor. She has tons of energy, a sympathetic ear and genuine concern for people who need help. And she feels passionately about local issues," she said.

Mrs Stephenson faces a fight from Tory hopeful Johnnie Curwen, however. The guest-house owner has followed in the footsteps of his national leader, David Cameron, to launch his own online election campaign - the first in SLDC's history.

"My website is a great way for people to get to know me," said Mr Curwen, who writes a daily blog about his campaign and said providing services for young people in Windermere topped his priorities.

In the light of experts' recent warnings about climate change and global warming, the district's only Green Party candidate, Jo-Anna Duncalf is urging voters in the Low Furness and Swarthmoor ward to make a change "before it is too late".

"No one can now afford to feel that green issues are someone else's responsibility. Everyone is now being affected," she said. "It is only by everyone making a concerted effort now that we can make a change."