IT'S all to play for in the new constituency of Central Devon at the general election.

Roads and lanes stretching from Okehampton to Bradninch near Exeter will soon be peppered with posters as the campaign builds.

The new constituency covers a large area of mid Devon and takes towns, including Okehampton, Hatherleigh, Moretonhampstead and Crediton.

Conservative candidate Mel Stride says protecting local services such as health, education and post offices would be top of his list of priorities.

'These are the heart of our communities and we lose them at our peril.

'Affordable housing for local people is also key and an area where we need to empower local people to have far more control over local development.

Mr Stride said anti-social behaviour and over development in Okehampton were both big issues, as was farming.

'We need to stand up for our farmers, especially when it comes to tackling bovine TB, which is seeing the loss of around 40,000 cattle a year and causing untold misery to our farming community.

'We need to provide more support for our pensioners, many of whom are struggling financially.

'Conservative MPs representing rural constituencies as part of a Conservative Government that really understands the countryside, is the best way for making sure that our forgotten rural communities are properly heard and supported.'

Liberal Democrat Phil Hutty, said the main issues in West Devon would be affordable housing and education.

He said: 'There are issues about not being able to build a second primary school and I also think it will be about our taxes and fair taxes.

'Many people haven't made up their minds yet and I think they're not too sure.

'There have been a lot of problems about expenses and a real disengagement with politics and politicians

'I think the main issue is to convince people to actually go out and vote.'

Mr Hutty said his main focus would be the people: 'I'm not a career politician — I want to serve the community.

'What I'd want to be is an MP who is accountable to the constituency — I will be honest, transparent and accountable to them.

'If I'm elected, I will be a person that comes back regularly to ask people how I am doing — and if they do not think I'm doing a good job, they should have the right to sack me and not have to wait for an election.'

Labour's Moira Macdonald says the contribution of Devon's growing number of older, but active people, along with the smaller number of teenagers, should be seen as vital for rural communities.

'While others are busy earning a living, raising children, or gaining more qualifications, it's the third-agers and teenagers who can pitch in and make an important difference.

'This can't be done for nothing — whatever their age, people in Central Devon who are on low income or no income need transport that suits, care support that is accessible and inclusion provision to overcome isolation.

'Central Devon needs investment to match each generation's needs fairly.'

She said she would support environmentally sensitive development alongside ecotourism and improve health and care services.

She would also help attract innovative businesses, with better roads and fast broadband and start-up funding to generate a local economy that provides good jobs and promotes sustainable living and working.

The UK Independence Party's candidate is Bob Edwards.

Mr Edwards, who has served on both district and town councils, during which he was mayor of Crediton five times, said housing in Okehampton is an issue that needs to be dealt with.

He said: 'One of the big problems is over housing and it seems local councillors are bypassed and told to get on with it.'

Mr Edwards said he believed in friendship, trade and co-operation with neighbours, but felt strongly that people should govern themselves.

'UKIP is now a fully-fledged political party, with a full manifesto.

'For example, anyone whose income is less than £11,500 would pay no tax, while we would put a stop to mass and uncontrolled immigration.

'If people think we British should run our own country, they really can only vote for the UK Independence Party. It is as simple as that.'

The new Central Devon constituency has been created following a Boundary Commission review in 2007.

Notional figures for the 2005 poll, based on the new constituency's are, suggest a Tory majority of 2,338.

The notional figures are based on the work of psephologists Colin Railings and Michael Thrasher of Plymouth University.

l The parishes of Bratton Clovelly, Bridestowe, Germansweek, Lydford, Sourton and Winkleigh remain in the West Devon and Torridge constituency. Candidates there are: Geoffrey Cox (Conservative), Adam Symons (Liberal Democrat), Darren Jones (Labour), Robin Julian (UKIP), Cathrine Simmons (Green), Nick Baker (BNP)