A CALL has gone out for a community-spirited individual to come forward and fill a vacancy on a town council.

Bedale Town Council is looking to co-opt a new member onto its committee, to fill the gap left by the recent resignation of Ian Watkins.

Anyone interested in becoming a councillor can write to the town council, giving a few details about their background and explaining briefly why they would like to join the council.

To be eligible for co-option, applicants must be a British, Commonwealth, Irish or European citizen and on the day of nomination be 18 years of age or over.

In addition, they must meet at least one of the following criteria:

* Be on the electoral register for the parish;

* For the previous 12 months, have owned or tenanted land or premises in the parish;

* For the previous 12 months, had a principal or only place of work in the parish;

* For the previous 12 months, lived in the parish or within three miles of it.

For more information, call town clerk Richard Howard, on 01677-427949 or email townclerk@bedaletowncouncil.lccnet.co.uk