Well to-do Coombe Hill is one of the wealthiest parts of the borough and is a Conservative fortress with all three councillors at the 2006 elections.

However, former Conservative council leader David Edwards is being challenged by former Lib Dem deputy council leader Jonathan Oates, who is now the party's national director of election communications.

Much of the ward is taken up by four golf courses, although Kingston Hospital and Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus and the Kingsnympton estate also lie within its borders.

Candidates for 2010

Patrick Codd - Conservative

Judith Cowley - Labour

David Edwards - Conservative

Philippa Hayward - Christian Peoples Alliance

Eric Humphrey - Conservative

David Knowles - Liberal Democrat

Funkazi Koroye-Crooks - Christian Peoples Alliance

Jonathan Oates - Liberal Democrat

Ian Parker - Labour

Alex Priest - Christian Peoples Alliance

Sally Richardson - Labour

Eleanor Tatler - Liberal Democrat

Jean Vidler - Green

WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME IN 2006?

Turnout 37.97%

Patrick Codd – Conservative 1726 ELECTED

David Edwards – Conservative 1663 ELECTED

Eric Humphrey – Conservative 1599 ELECTED

Peter Grender – Liberal Democrat 434

Jonathan Oates – Liberal Democrat 405

Vijay Solanki – Liberal Democrat 343

James Humphreys – Green 251

Roger Price – Labour 231

Wendy Malseed – Labour 216

Daljit Sehbai – Labour 181

Lydia Flower – Christian People’s Alliance 83

To see a rundown of who is running for Kingston Council in the other wards visit Kingston Council Elections 2010