VOTERS in the Crompton ward of Bolton will go to the polls on October 1.

A by-election has been called after Labour councillor Emma Scowcroft resigned last week after more than two years on the council.

A notice of election was posted by Bolton Council yesterday and interested parties have until Friday, September 4 to submit their nomination papers, which signals their intention to contest the seat.

All three major parties have said they will be fielding candidates in the ward.

Ms Scowcroft won her seat in May, 2007, at the age of 25, snatching it from the Liberal Democrats.

She was Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly’s personal assistant before taking up a position with National Children’s Home in London.

Concerns were raised at the time on how she could commit to her role as ward councillor while being based outside the borough for periods of time.

Announcing her resignation, Ms Scowcroft said: “Juggling my job with the responsibilities and expectations of being a local councillor has become increasingly difficult.”

She was praised by council leader Cllr Cliff Morris as being an “excellent councillor” and a “champion for Crompton”.

The last by-election held in Bolton was also in the Crompton ward in July 2006, current Labour Cllr Hanif Darvesh winning the seat following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Iqbal Patel.

Anyone over the age of 18 can stand in the by-election and while most will be chosen by their political parties, individuals can stand as independent candidates.

Nomination papers can now be collected from the Elections Office at Bolton Town Hall and must be returned to the Returning Officer, who is the council’s chief executive Sean Harriss, by September 4 with the signatures of 10 registered voters from Crompton.

To register for a proxy or postal vote, Crompton residents should call 01204 333333 for further details.

andrew.greaves@the boltonnews.co.uk