Almost three quarters of the votes in parishes across the Marlow area will be decided without a single vote being cast.

All but three parish councils in the immediate area will be automatically filled after not enough candidates came forward to fight for the positions.

Only Marlow North and West, Marlow South and Turville will go to the vote on May 7.

Areas which are being written off as ‘no contest’ include Danesfield, Great Marlow, Hambleden North, Hambleden South, Little Marlow, Marlow Bottom and Medmenham.

It marks a change from four years ago, when parishes such as Little Marlow and Marlow Bottom fielded enough candidates to take the decision to a public vote.