THE North Ayrshire and Arran Conservative Group have announced the majority of their candidates for the 2017 local council elections as they look to increase from the solitary councillor they have at the moment.

The wide ranging group came together at the local Conservative Offices in Ardrossan’s Princes Street on Saturday afternoon for the official launch of their collective campaign.

In attendance were eight of their 10 candidates alongside North Ayrshire and Arran Chairman, Richard Wilkinson, and West Scotland Regional MSP Jamie Greene.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Having beaten Labour into third place locally at the Holyrood election last year and increasing our vote share in the Irvine West by-election in August, I am confident that we will have councillors elected in a number of wards and maybe even a few surprises.”

The candidates are:

Ward 1- Irvine West - Scott Gallacher
Ward 2- Irvine East - Angela Stephen
Ward 3- Kilwinning – to follow
Ward 4- Stevenston - Tom McCammont
Ward 5- Ardrossan and Arran - Timothy Billings
Ward 6 – Dalry and West Kilbride - Todd Ferguson
Ward 7- Kilbirnie and Beith - Ted Nevill
Ward 8- North Coast and Cumbrae - to follow
Ward 9- Saltcoats - Brandon Clydesdale
Ward 10- Irvine South - Margaret George.

Former Special Constable, Thomas (Tom) McCammont lives in Saltcoats. He worked in the Cooperative bakery in Stevenston then joined Post Office Telephones in 1975  and trained as a telephone engineer, later promoted to quality auditor and then trained all the apprentices in the West of Scotland.

Tom served the Three Towns as a Special Constable from 1969 till 2002.
Arran resident, Timothy Billings had a 30-year career as a pharmacist before buying the Glenisle Hotel in Lamlash in 2008 along with his partner, Geoffrey Dallamore.

Todd Ferguson, 40, is a West Kilbride local, who recently returned home to North Ayrshire after many years living and working overseas in New Zealand and Australia. Currently living with his parents, John and Beryl Ferguson in Millport, Todd is studying Scottish History at Glasgow University. This is his first foray into politics. His 14 years’ experience as a Business Development Manager working in the fast-paced media industry will be invaluable in ensuring that the people of Dalry and West Kilbride have a strong voice representing them.

Brandon Clydesdale, 18, lives with his family in Stevenston and enjoys filmmaking, refurbishing and reselling Apple computers as well as spending time in the great outdoors and socialising with friends.

The former St Matthew’s pupil is currently studying Law with English Law at the University of Aberdeen.