A BY-ELECTION is taking place next month to fill a vacancy caused by the election of a new Mayor.

Stockton Borough Council is holding the election to fill a space in the Yarm ward on Thursday, June 22.

A new councillor will be elected to serve the ward area after former councillor Ben Houchen was elected Mayor of the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Ben Houchen claimed he had caused a “political earthquake” after stunning his main rival, Labour’s Sue Jeffrey, to win the historic election by more than 2,000 votes earlier this month.

The Tory winner is the nephew of former professional footballer Keith Houchen, who scored in Coventry City’s FA Cup final over Tottenham in 1987 and was also a player-manager of Hartlepool United.

Those standing for election in the Yarm ward are Tony Hampton for the Conservatives, Kevin Nicholas for Labour, Graham Robinson for the Liberal Democrats and Andrew Sherris as an Independent.

Anyone wishing to vote who is not registered must do so by Tuesday, June 6.

If you are already registered to vote and would like to vote by post, you must apply by 5pm on Wednesday, June 7.

Polling stations will be open between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

For more information on registering to vote, call 01642 526196 or visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.