A BY-ELECTION to fill a vacant Bewdley Town Council seat could be held later in the summer.

Nominations are being invited for the Bewdley East ward seat, which became vacant following the death of much-loved independent councillor Mary Fishwick earlier this month.

If the election goes ahead, the poll will take place on Thursday, August 2.

Nomination papers must be received by the Returning Officer at Wyre Forest House in Finepoint Way, Kidderminster by no later than 4pm on Friday, July 6.

Councillor Fishwick suffered a heart attack on June 2 and was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The 91-year-old died later that evening.

She had been first elected to the Bewdley East ward in 2014 and council colleagues and residents paid tribute to her dedication and commitment to the town.

Bewdley Mayor Roger Coleman said: “Mary hardly missed any meetings and was an active councillor being on several committees.

“She was particularly interested in the preservation of our town’s treescape and a defender of our young citizens.

“Mary felt that life was for living and enjoyed networking in the town and will be a well missed character both in the town and at our council meetings.”