A local businesswoman is hoping to win the Strawberry by-election for the Liberal Democrats, with a focus on free parking in her prospective ward if she is elected.

Voters in Ellesmere Port's Strawberry ward head to the polls on October 2 for a by-election, after the incumbent Labour representative on Cheshire West and Chester Council stepped down for health reasons.

Lib Dem Lizzie Jewkes will join six other candidates representing Labour, Green, Conservative, Reform and an independent in the contest.

Describing herself as a "long time local with deep roots in the area", she runs a business in the area called Grace Tea Rooms which employs local people.

She added that her experience as an employer "informs her approach to economic development", and that she backed small businesses, apprenticeships and practical local support to ensure jobs stay in the area.

A spokesmen for her campaign said it includes no more top-down control: She said Strawberry "needs councillors who represent residents, not party bosses".

Free parking in the town centre: She supports increasing free parking free to thirty minutes to help local traders and revive footfall.

Holding the council to account: She has condemned what she calls a "botched road resurfacing" in Strawberry and argues that "short-term election stunts" are no substitute for properly planned, durable roadworks.

A full list of candidates can be found here.

Residents in the ward will require photo ID to cast their vote. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here.