Six candidates will be vying for a seat on Cheshire West and Chester Council when voters go to the polls in a by-election next month.

It was triggered when Labour's councillor for Strawberry ward in Ellesmere Port Gareth Gould announced in August he would be stepping down on health grounds.

His decision leaves an open seat on Cheshire West and Chester Council, with voters in that ward due to head to the polls on Thursday, October 2, to select a replacement.

The nomination window for candidates closed on Friday, with a final list of six now officially in the running. These are:

• Paul Bowers (Green Party)
• Kris Fisher (Labour Party)
• Nicholas Hebson (Conservative Party)
• Lizzie Jewkes (Liberal Democrats)
• Ray McHale (Independent)
• Jason Moorcroft (Reform)

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

Alternatively, you can also apply for a voter authority certificate here.

The current political makeup of the council is now Labour (34), Conservative (22), Green (two), independent (two), Reform UK (two), Liberal Democrat (one), unaligned independent (six), and one vacancy.