A DATE has been fixed for the by-election for Malvern Hills District Council caused by the death of a councillor earlier this year.

Five candidates are competing for the Wells ward seat which was formerly occupied by Cllr Chris Cheeseman, who died suddenly during a council meeting in June.

The election will be held on Thursday, August 7, and the candidates are Christopher Roland Burrows (Labour Party), Louise Gibson (independent), Simon Winfield Gill (Liberal Democrat), Chris O’Donnell (Conservative Party) and Richard Spencer (UK Independence Party).

Poll cards are being sent to all registered electors in the ward. Anyone who does not receive a poll card needs to contact the electoral registration office at the council by Tuesday, July 22.

For more information contact the registration team on 01684 862200 or elections@malvernhills.gov.uk.

Cllr Cheeseman collapsed while speaking at a meeting of the council's planning committee on Monday, June 2. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Cllr Cheeseman, aged 73, had been Conservative member for the Wells ward since 2007.