Local elections: The Powys ward where no-one is standing
A rural village in Powys has won the dubious distinction of being the only council seat where nobody wants to stand as councillor.
It is picturesque, with stunning views of Pen y Fan and a charming rural setting, but Yscir faces having no elected representative.
The Powys community, near Brecon, has about 1,000 residents.
It is set to go unrepresented tomorrow as voters go to the polls for the local elections.
Elsewhere in Wales, there are 92 uncontested seats, where councillors will be returned without any votes being cast, but Yscir currently stands alone as being unrepresented.
Incumbent Gillian Thomas, one of several independent councillors in Powys, is retiring and, so far, no-one wants to replace her.
The situation has bemused locals, with many admitting they weren't event aware an election was looming.
Retired couple Tess and Brian Birtles, of Aberyscir, had not heard their ward would be left without a voice.
Mr Birtles, a former communications firm boss, said he was disappointed, adding: "Powys could have done more to encourage people to stand in the ward, because ultimately it will mean that we're not represented at the local government."
Still, he does not want the job himself.
"I'd find it immensely frustrating," he said, "because it doesn't seem very much is done by the councils these days apart from cutting services and reducing costs."
Jessica Blair of Electoral Reform Society Cymru said: "Rural areas do see higher rates of uncontested seats and there are likely numerous factors for this, such as geography and smaller population size."
