The Conservative leaders of Cherwell District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council are to be re-elected unopposed in the local elections next month because no-one has stood against them.

In Cherwell, five Conservative candidates, including the leader, George Reynolds, will be returned unopposed, because no rival candidates have been nominated.

Tory agent Kevin Thorpe said: "It's disgraceful that Labour and the Liberal Democrats failed to find candidates. They're denying many people the chance to vote."

Following the introduction of new leader and cabinet systems by the councils last year, which replaced the old committee structure, the two leaders have wide powers. The post of leader of West Oxfordshire District Council carries a salary of £16,650. Cabinet members are paid £12,950. The leader of Cherwell gets £11,000, while cabinet members are paid £6,000.

Les Sibley, Labour county councillor for Bicester North, said: "Candidates have to weigh up their chance of success and, given a choice, will stand in areas where they have a hope of winning."

Mr Reynolds, also a county councillor for Wroxton, said it was the first time he had been unopposed in the district elections. Barry Norton, the leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "North Leigh is a small area, where I have been a parish councillor for 30 years, and I have got a great deal of support there.

"Opposition parties have to target seats where they at least have a chance."

Liberal Democrat Richard Noviss this week cancelled his nomination for West Oxfordshire's The Bartons ward, leaving Tory Arthur Goffe unopposed.