THE CONSERVATIVE Party candidates for Wharfedale and Ilkley wards have been announced.

Jackie Whiteley will be the candidate for Wharfedale Ward, and Kyle Green will contest Ilkley in May’s district council elections.

Cllr Whiteley has represented Burley in Wharfedale and Menston since a by-election in 2012. She is a business woman and previously worked as a civil servant, in the charity sector as a disability rights worker and welfare benefits adviser and for Leeds City Council and at the University of Leeds as a careers consultant.

She is a senior member of the Conservative Group on Bradford Council, is the shadow spokesperson for adult services and is a member of Bradford’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

Ben Rhydding resident, Kyle Green will contest the Ilkley seat currently held by Conservative councillor Martin Smith who is retiring after 32 years.

Mr Green, a Politics and Parliamentary Studies graduate, has spent the last three years taking a career break to help raise his young daughter. He previously worked in the UK Parliament and its sister Parliament in Canada.

He has managed a range of baby and toddler groups across Yorkshire, has helped with charity work in various locations, including Madagascar, and has worked as a primary school teacher and sheltered housing officer.