ELECTION chiefs have confirmed a by-election to fill the newly vacated Kidderminster Town Council seat will take place in May.

The ballot for the Foley Park & Hoobrook ward seat will be held on Thursday, May 4 – the same day as Worcestershire County Council elections – following the resignation of Councillor Michael Wrench.

The Wyre Forest UKIP leader stepped down earlier this month after announcing he was emigrating to Thailand for family reasons.

Residents are now being urged to check they are registered to vote by calling the Wyre Forest District Council’s elections team on 01562 732762.

Deadline to register to vote is midnight on Thursday, April 13 and can be done online www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or via a paper form at the Worcestershire Hub at the Town Hall in Kidderminster.

Voters can also register for postal or proxy voting at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/voting - deadline for postal being 5pm on Thursday, April 18 and proxy by 5pm on Tuesday, April 25.

Ian Miller, Returning Officer, said: “Residents who live in the Foley Park & Hoobrook ward can vote in the Town and County Council elections on Thursday 4 May in person, by post or, under certain circumstances, by proxy.

“This is to make it easier for residents to use their vote and play their part in selecting Councillors for the vacant seats.

"However, in order to vote on polling day, residents must make sure they are registered to vote by their chosen method in good time for the election on Thursday 4 May.”

The polling stations will be Holy Innocents’ Community Hall, 1st Kidderminster Sea Scout Group Hut and St. Peter’s Church Hall, which will be open between 7am and 10pm on May 4.

Anyone interested in standing in the by-election will need to submit signed nomination papers by 4pm on Tuesday, April 4.

The count will be held on Friday, May 5 at Wyre Forest Leisure Centre.