Five stand in Littlehampton by-election

The Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UK Independence Party and an independent are standing in River ward for a seat made vacant by the resignation of Tory councillor John Charles, who was elected onto the council only six months ago.

Mr Charles had to quit because he had moved to Felpham, beyond the three-mile limit from Littlehampton’s boundary, within which town councillors must live.

Nominations for candidates for the election, which will take place on Thursday, December 8, and the list was published on Tuesday (November 15) by Arun District Council, which will oversee the poll.

The candidates are: Ian Buckland (Liberal Democrat), Alan Butcher (Labour), Mary Lees (UK Independence Party), David Moyle (independent) and Roy Scrivener (Conservative).

Mr Buckland will be bidding to win back his place on the town council, having lost his seat in the May election, when the Conservatives made two gains in River ward, claiming his seat and another from Labour.

Mr Butcher, a former Arun district councillor, has also stood as a Parliamentary candidate in the Worthing West constituency, and Mrs Lees has also been a candidate in a number of previous elections for UKIP.

The Conservatives currently control the town council with 10 members, Labour has two, there is one Liberal Democrat, an independent and a vacancy.