A BY-ELECTION has been called for a Bury Council ward to be contested next month.

The ballot will be held for the Church Ward council seat on December 12 ­— the same day as the General Election.

It will fill the vacancy created by the death of councillor Susan Nuttall.

The late councillor Nuttal had represented the ward for almost seven years prior to her death in September.

Anyone who wishes to stand as a candidate in the by-election must submit their nomination forms before November 15.

Nomination papers are available from www.bury.gov.uk/nominations-churchward or can be collected from the elections office at Bury Town Hall.

To book an appointment to hand in your nomination form call 0161 253 5113.

Anyone seeking to register to vote can do so by emailing electionservices@bury.gov.uk or calling 0161 253 5252 before the November 26 deadline.

This week The Brexit Party has announced it will not be contesting the by-election, with a spokesman adding: “This is in order to show respect to the hard work and dedication of Cllr Susan Nuttall.”

However the party noted that they will be contesting council seats in next May’s election.