FIVE sitting councillors have decided not to stand for re-election this time around: Erryl Heath, Mohammed Asghar, Bill Pursey, Laura Buchanan-Smith and Veronica Watkins.

Cllr Heath, who represented Rogerstone for Labour, was cabinet member for development and employment.

At the final cabinet meeting before the election, council leader Bob Bright paid tribute to her for doing "an extremely good job".

Cllr Ashgar, Victoria ward, was the sole Plaid member on the council while Cllr Watkins was one of three Liberal Democrat councillors in St Julians.

Cllr Pursey, Marshfield, and Cllr Buchanan-Smith were Conservative colleagues at the end of the four years but it did not start out that way.

Cllr Buchanan-Smith was elected as Labour but quit the party to cross over to the opposition side some months ago.

Among the candidates are some familiar faces - safety campaigner Pat Harris and Pill carnival stalwart Jayne Lewis are standing for the Lib Dems in Ringland and Pill respectively while Newport businessman, and Save Our Ship campaigner, Charles Ferris will be fighting for a seat in Caerleon for the Conservatives.

Newport County chairman Chris Blight is also standing for the Conservatives in Lliswerry.

Labour and Liberal Democrats are putting up 47 candidates, Conservatives 45, Plaid 10 and there are two independents fighting for the 50 seats.