THE SNP have announced their candidates for May's Inverclyde Council elections.

Convener of Inverclyde’s SNP Local Government Liaison Committee, Ronnie Cowan said: "Our nine candidates have a strong and diverse mix of skills, experience and abilities that I am certain will allow SNP to serve the local community and Inverclyde Council, exceptionally well.”

From left, John Crowther, Keith Brooks, Jim MacLeod, Jim Grieve, Innes Nelson, Math Campbell-Sturgess, Chris McEleny, Professor Alex De Ruyter, Ralph Roberts.

“Amongst the nine-strong team we have four standing councillors with an already successful track record in serving the local community. They are joined by a further five candidates drawn from senior management, higher education, IT, creative and engineering backgrounds. A number of our candidates have many years involvement of the voluntary sector and others have current union responsibilities.”

"A vote for Team SNP on 3 May is a vote for a committed and focused team who will work ceaselessly on behalf of the residents of Inverclyde, both within the local council and also in conjunction with our colleagues in the Scottish government.”

The SNP council candidates are:

Ward 1 (Inverclyde East) - Councillor Jim MacLeod is vice-convener of the council's Audit Committee and is the SNP council group's Health and Social Care spokesman. He has a long involvement within the voluntary sector in Inverclyde, in particular as a disability rights campaigner.

Ward 2 (Inverclyde East Central) - Councillor Jim Grieve is the SNP council group's Community spokesperson. He has a strong connection within housing and was a community activist for 20 years prior to becoming a councillor.

Ward 3 (Inverclyde North) - Professor Alex De Ruyter and Math Campbell-Sturgess. Professor De Ruyter is a university professor who came to Scotland several years ago. Originally from Australia, he brings more than 15 years experience in higher education and has particular expertise in employment and economic development issues. Math works as a freelance graphics designer, and helped set up his local residents’ group.

Ward 4 (Inverclyde South) - Councillor Keith Brooks is the council group's Deputy Leader, Education spokesman and is convener of the council's Human Resources Appeals Board. He has worked in several trades over the years and is a former college lecturer.

Ward 5 (Inverclyde West) - Chris McEleny and Ralph Roberts. Mr McEleny works as an electrician and is a trade union representative. Mr Roberts is managing director of McGill’s Buses and has extensive experience in running large organisations in both the UK and Europe.

Ward 6 (Inverclyde South West) - Councillor Innes Nelson and John Crowther. Mr Nelson is the SNP council group's Leader, is an engineer and a former chairman of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay Community Council.  Mr Crowther was employed as a marine engineering draughtsman then as a non-conforming material analyst prior to diversifying to the social care, tourism and voluntary sectors.