A COUNTY council cabinet member is set to ‘retire’ before Lancashire goes to the polls next May.

Coun Mike Calvert, who represents Pendle East and is adult services cabinet member, is stepping down, along with Coun Shelagh Derwent, who represents Pendle West.

Coun Paul White, a Pendle borough councillor for Boulsworth, hopes to replace him, and undergraduate Christian Wakeford will attempt to follow in Coun Derwent’s wake.

School governor and NHS campaigner Mohammad Abdullah will try to wrest Brierfield and Nelson North from Labour’s Coun Mohammed Iqbal.

And newly-elected Marsden borough councillor Tommy Cooney is hoping to hold onto Pendle Central, which is currently held by Coun George Askew, who will not be standing again as he now works in Gloucestershire.

Neil McGowan, chairman of the Walverden Action Group, is bidding to oust Labour veteran Coun George Adam in Nelson South.

And defending his West Craven seat again will be Coun Keith Bailey.