Next Thursday, May 1, Wales goes to the polls for the Welsh Assembly elections. Here the Observer takes a brief look at the five candidates fighting for the seat in the local Carmarthen West and South Pembs. Constituency. However, don't forget that at the polling stations you will receive two ballot papers - one for your constituency and one for your region. Make sure you vote twice.

Christine Gwyther

(Labour)

Christine Gwyther was born in Pembroke and brought up in Pembroke Dock, where she now lives.

She was educated at Pembroke School and University College, Cardiff, lived in London and then came back to Pembrokeshire where she worked in economic development for the county council.

When she worked for the county council she was an active trade unionist and represented her colleagues.

A lifelong socialist, she was selected by Labour to fight the first National Assembly elections in 1999, and won Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire with a 1,492 majority.

In the Assembly, she served in the first cabinet as Agriculture and Rural Development Secretary, and remains passionate about the rural development of West Wales.

She is currently chair of the Assembly's economic development committee, and chairs the Wales-Ireland Interreg partnership, boosting trade links for West Wales.

Arthur Williams

(Independent)

Born in Wales, Arthur Williams has lived in Saundersfoot for over 20 years.

He has served in the RAF and Territorial Army and has been a Salvation Army envoy.

Arthur, who has two daughters, has worked in the motor industry and has been a union representative.

He enjoys sport, reading, writing and keeping fit.

FOOTNOTE: The second vote is used for a party instead of an individual, to elect additional regional members to the Assembly. Parties contesting the Mid and West Wales region are: Independent Wales Party; Welsh Liberal Democrats; Green Party; Labour Party; Mid and West Wales Pensioners; Plaid Cymru; Prolife; UK Independence; Vote to Stop the War; Welsh Conservatives.

David N. Thomas

(Welsh Conservatives)

Brought up in Carmarthenshire, David Thomas worked in London before returning to south-west Wales to run his own business.

He is married to Margaret, a schoolteacher, and has a daughter, Rachel, who is a lawyer in London.

He has strong family connections in Narberth, Templeton, Saundersfoot and Tenby.

Mary Megarry

(Welsh Liberal Democrats)

Formerly manager of the Pembrokeshire Lottery, 43-year-old Mary Megarry is now involved in rolling out local lottery schemes across Wales.

She is also a director of Haven FM (Pembrokeshire Ltd.), broadcasting as Radio Pembrokeshire, and PLANED.

Mary, of Pleasant Valley, Stepaside, has been a county councillor since 1999, representing the Amroth ward on Pembrokeshire County Council, and is also a member of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Llyr Hughes Griffiths

(Plaid Cymru)

Thirty-two-year-old Llyr Hughes Griffiths is married and lives in Carmarthen.

The party's candidate at the last General Election, he works throughout Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire as a researcher for the Plaid Cymru MEPs, offering help and advice on economic, environmental and social affairs.

A school governor and former youth worker, Llyr, a past president and chairman of the Carmarthen and District Forum - set up to help regenerate the local economy - is very active with a wide range of local voluntary organisations.

A Carmarthen town councillor, Llyr, a former member of the Wales Young Farmers Clubs National Board of Management, was the town's Mayor last year.