Below is the latest post in our series of Q&As with election candidates standing to be councillors in Preston.

The election takes place on Thursday 3 May 2012 and we’ve emailed this list of questions or posted it through every candidate’s door so you can find out what’s beyond the name on the ballot paper and what they will do for your local area if elected.

Full name? Mark Adrian Cotterill

Party? England First Party

Ward? Ribbleton

Occupation? Self-employed sales – football merchandise

What has made you decide to stand for election? I would like to help and improve the lives of the people of Ribbleton. I feel I can do this as I live, work and shop in the ward – unlike some of the other candidates.

What are the key issues for your ward? Housing, local employment, youth crime and anti-English racism.

If you were elected, how would you keep your constituents informed? I would hold regular meetings in the ward – I live in the heart of the ward unlike many others – and issue a local ward newsletter and perhaps even set up a local ward blog.

Anything else to add? I have been active in radical politics for many years now and was an elected councillor in Blackburn (2006/7). I campaign on national issues (I am the only anti-war, anti-racist candidate standing in Ribbleton this time round) as well as local issues, as many people still tend to vote on national issues even though this is a local election.

View a map below showing the other candidates standing for election in Ribbleton and across the city.

View Election 2012: Local election candidates standing for Preston City Council in a larger map

If you’re a candidate standing for election, please send us your answers to the questions above along with a photo of yourself we can use to go with the piece. Please email it to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk as soon as possible.