Aberystwyth's promenade is one of Ceredigion's main tourist features

The failure of supporters of a London-style mayor to gain backing for their idea in the 20 May referendum sets the scene for an intriguing election on 10 June.

With just over 14,000 rejecting plans for a Ken Livingstone-style mayor for the county, compared to some 5,300 voting in favour, people in Ceredigion sent a clear message.

It means the existing cabinet system survives, whereby the authority is run by a leader picked by the ruling group and supported by seven cabinet members.

That ruling group has comprised 21 Independents, although they were short of an overall majority.

Normally there are 44 elected members, although one seat is vacant at present.

How the council stood Independent: 21 Plaid Cymru: 12 Liberal Democrat: 8 Labour: 1 Independent un-grouped: 1 Vacant: 1

They are in charge of an overwhelmingly rural county covering 696 square miles - the fourth largest in Wales - but with a relatively small population of 74,000.

Its main industries are agriculture and food processing, although it is also dependent on education, and tourism is increasingly important.

It has a disproportionately high number of self-employed workers, of about 30%, which is the highest proportion in Wales.

Although the council has been run by Independents, both the county's AM, Elin Jones, and MP, Simon Thomas, are represent Plaid Cymru.

But Ceredigion (formerly Cardiganshire) also used to be a Liberal stronghold. Between 1885 and 2001, it was held by the Liberals for all but two periods.

Labour's Elystan Morgan narrowly won the seat in 1966, and held it until February 1974, when it was regained for the Liberals by Geraint Howells.

The three main centres of population are the market town of Cardigan, and the university towns of Aberystwyth and Lampeter, which between them have more than 8,500 students.