It may be part of Swindon borough, but the residents of Highworth are fiercely proud of the town's individual identity, and its separation from the urban centre.

(Incidentally, woe betide any news reporter who calls Highworth a village. Despite a population at the last census of a little over 8,000, it's a town and has been since it was given a charter for a market in 1206)

The town on the hill sits at the centre of one of the biggest, in terms of area, ward in the borough, bounded in the south and west by the A419 which separates it from Swindon proper, a part of it - a narrow corridor along the A361 - stretches as far as Lechlade, and as well as the communities of Blunsdon and Highworth includes the villages of Hampton, Sevenhampton, Hannington, Stanton Fitzwarren, Hannington Wick and Castle Eaton.

It is one of the greenest and most rural wards in a largely urban and suburban borough.

And its continuing character as a rural ward is one of the significant issues: as Swindon expands, developers are looking to areas in the surrounding countryside for both housing and industrial developments which are well situated for access to the dual carriageway and the motorway network.

The ward is not directly affected by the plans for the new Eastern Villages developments to be constructed just to the south of most of the ward - but the knock-on effects of traffic, congestion, and infrastructure are of concern. Traffic queuing on the bridge and ramps at The Cold Harbour junction with the A419 are already a common sight nearly every day.

As might be expected from such a rural, and prosperous ward, it's solid Conservative territory.

It has three Conservatives representing it in the council chamber, and The sitting member defending his seat, Coun Alan Bishop will be looking for a fourth consecutive term, having been first elected in 2011.

At his last election in 2015 Coun Bishop romped home easily with 55 per cent of the vote and a majority which was only 19 votes lower than the entire vote of his Labour opponent.

That election, which saw David Cameron win a majority for the Conservatives nationally, was a recent highwater mark for the party.

But even in subsequent elections, support for the party has been strong. In 2016, Coun Maureen Penny was returned for her second term with 47 per cent of the vote and last year Coun Steve Weisinger successfully the seat for the second time, having first won in 2012, with 56 per cent vote share.

It remains to be seen how the national party's recent travails affect its local showing, but if the Conservatives hope to retain power in Swindon, it needs to hod it's seat here and do so easily.

Labour's candidate Jamie Cope might be surprised if she takes the seat - but if she can cut the Conservatives majority from the 1007 votes it was last year, then that could bode well for her party in other somewhat more closely contested wards.

This year's Green candidate Andrew Day also stood last year, coming third of five candidates, while Malcolm Salmon for the Liberal Democrats has not stood here in recent years.

Alan Bishop (Conservative)

I have lived in Highworth for 50 years and have served as a local councillor for most of that time. My wife Julia and I have raised our 2 sons here, with both of them attending Highworth schools, and I previously ran a local driving school in Highworth for 40 years.

I have served as the Mayor of Highworth on 2 occasions and am proud to have raised a significant amount of money for both Prospect Hospice & Macmillan Cancer Support.

I currently sit on Swindon Borough Council’s Planning Committee where I have spoken up for Blunsdon, Highworth & our surrounding villages on a number of occasions.

I am still as determined as ever to work tirelessly on behalf of my fellow local residents.

Jamie Cope (Labour)

I grew up here, I have both been to school and worked here. As a child I attended scouts and youth clubs around the area and now I am raising my young boys here.

I want everyone to have access to the excellent facilities and amenities that I enjoyed. For example, the youth centre is now empty and the Surestart centre closed. This centre was a lifeline to me, it offered a support service when I needed it most and if I am elected, I will lobby hard to get these reintroduced across Swindon. We need more young people involved in politics and I hope that this will be my chance to make a positive impact on my home town.

Andrew Day (Green Party)

I have lived in Highworth with my partner, Linda, for more than 20 enjoyable years. As a local candidate, I look forward to safeguarding all that is good in Blunsdon & Highworth and facilitating improvements where necessary.

I support several local charities and use local businesses whenever I can.

I have been a member of the Green Party (formerly known as the Ecology Party) for many years and remain firmly convinced that our policies are sound and necessary for the greater good. Green councillors, unlike those of other parties, are not bound by the party whip system. This means that, if elected, I shall be free always to represent the ward without compromise.

Malcolm Salmon (Liberal Democrat)

Blunsdon has been my home on and off for the last 40 years, the changes have been dramatic but essential with housing for the many people moving into the area, it has managed to stay small whilst growing.

Swindon is growing rapidly, sometimes awkwardly, decisions made in cabinet have at times worked, more openness and transparency is required with more open debate in council, a more inclusive method of working where decisions are made in council rather than cabinet, we’ve seen nationally how government by cabinet has broken down. We must heed those lessons and apply them locally to enable the town and its people to grow together. If elected my aim would be to lessen the polarisation, bring people together, work for each other rather than against each other.