Conservative election candidates in Somerset, including Somerton and Frome, have received a boost after the Brexit Party announced it would not be standing for their seats.

Leader Nigel Farage had previously indicated his party would be fielding candidates in all 632 seats in England, Scotland and Wales.

But today (November 11) Mr Farage backtracked on this, announcing his party would not be fielding candidates in any of the 317 seats won by the Conservatives at the 2017 election.

He will instead concentrate on winning seats in Leave-leaning Labour seats – including Hartlepool in the north-east of England, where chairman Richard Tice will be standing.

This decision means the Leave vote is less likely to be split in Somerset – making it more likely the incumbent Conservative MPs will be returned on December 12.

MPs for all five Somerset constituencies – Bridgwater and West Somerset, Somerton and Frome, Taunton Deane, Wells and Yeovil – voted for prime minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal when it came before the House of Commons.

The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party (together with Plaid Cymru) have formed a 'unite to remain' pact, meaning they will stand aside in each other's constituencies to give a clear run to the Remain candidate who is most likely to win.

In Somerset, the Greens will not compete with the Lib Dems in either Taunton Deane or Wells – but they will field candidates in each of the other three seats.

Anyone wishing to stand in the general election has until 4pm on Thursday (November 14). To stand, obtain the necessary forms from the following places:

Bridgwater and West Somerset: Sedgemoor District Council, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR

Taunton Deane: Somerset West and Taunton Council, West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA