Quizmasters, ex-servicemen and trade unionists are among a busy field vying for a vacant seat on Durham County Council.
Voters in Spennymoor are due to head to the polls on Thursday, May 2, to select a new representative for the town at on the county council.
It follows the decision earlier this year of Geoff Darkes to quit both the local authority and the Spennymoor Independents political group.
The move prompted the by-election, which has attracted eight candidates representing five parties, while three are standing as independents.
On the same day, a ballot will also be held in the town to select a replacement for Mr Darkes on Spennymoor Town Council.
Mr Darkes quit local politics after falling out with fellow members of the Spennymoor Independents group.
At the time, he claimed 'certain members of the group who forgot why they were elected' and added he had taken the decision to step down after trying for about a year to 'find a way through'.
The by-election for Spennymoor's vacant county council seat is due to be held the same day as another for Durham County Council's Shildon and Dene Valley electoral division, prompted by the death of Coun Henry Nicholson.
Other local authorities across England will also go to the polls on May 2.
And elections for the European Parliament are also due to take place on Thursday, May 23.
The candidates for the Durham County Council by-election for the Spennymoor electoral division are:
- James Langford COSSLETT (Conservative Party Candidate)
- Ian GELDARD (Independent)
- Ronald Edward HIGHLEY (Spennymoor Independents People Before Politics)
- Martin Thomas Brian JONES (Liberal Democrat)
- Billy MCALOON (Independent)
- Pete Molloy (Independent)
- Colin NELSON (Labour Party)
- Bob PURVIS (UKIP)
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