WEE COUNTY voters go to the polls this week to elect their MSPs for the next five years.

There are four candidates for the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane seat – incumbent Keith Brown (SNP), Labour's Craig Miller, the Conservatives' Alexander Stewart and the Lib Dems' Dr Iliyan Stefanov.

In addition, there are numerous Mid Scotland and Fife regional candidates aiming to get elected on the list system, such as the Greens' Mark Ruskell who has served the region over the past five years.

Voters will be asked to vote twice on Thursday – for a candidate to represent their constituency and a

Today, with weeks of campaigning behind them, candidates make a final pitch to residents in Clacks.

Mr Brown, gunning for re-election, said: "The last year has been the hardest that most of us will have endured and this has been an election campaign like no other.

"Usually, politicians try and meet as many people as possible; the challenge, this time, has been to get our message across whilst interacting in person as little as possible.

"Polls show that the result of this election is on a knife-edge– and every vote counts. By giving both votes to the SNP on Thursday, people can elect a government with the experience and the serious programme for leading Scotland out of the pandemic and protecting our NHS in the crucial period ahead."

Labour's Miller added: "I was born in this community. I live in this community. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, I will continue to deliver for this community, as I have done for the last decade, but as a MSP I could do so much more.

"My only focus will be on the national recovery, as it should be for every politician, not reverting back to the old divisions.

"If elected, I will be a MSP for every single resident of Clackmannanshire and Dunblane; whether or not they support me or my party, I will support them.

"Both votes Labour on Thursday May 6 for a national recovery."

Mr Stewart, Conservative candidate, said: "The choice at this election is clear. We can have another divisive independence referendum with an SNP majority, or we can stop that majority and get a parliament that is focused on rebuilding Scotland after the pandemic.

"The Scottish Conservatives stopped an SNP majority in 2016 and can do so again. Labour is in coalition with the SNP on six councils and just can't be trusted to defend the union.

"The only way to stop an SNP majority again is to vote for me on your lilac constituency ballot and for the Scottish Conservatives on your peach party list ballot."

Lib Dem candidate Dr Stefanov added: "I will put recovery first, investing in green recovery and opening up a rail link to Fife. Scottish education needs to be the best again with more in class support, so all children achieve their potential and improve literacy and numeracy.

"I support reforming business rates that will help local businesses and local high street shops to recover in addition to a job guarantee for every young person to avoid a generation of unemployment.

"Mental health issues must be addressed as we try to recover from the pandemic. Let's stop the division and work together for a brighter future by putting recovery first."

Mr Ruskell, candidate for the Greens, said: "Tomorrow's poll is an election like no other. I know it can feel like we're told that every time a vote comes around, but that really is the reality this time.

"The coronavirus caused an unprecedented crisis and times have been tough for everyone. But now we see the light at the end of the tunnel we begin a national discussion about the kind of society we want to build in the aftermath of the pandemic.

"Tomorrow is a chance to make sure your voice is heard, to make sure that you and your community is heard loud and clear in the years ahead. Whatever your political leanings that's a tremendous opportunity. So please, take that chance and get out and vote."