VOTERS in a Durham suburb will go to the polls on Thursday to elect a new city councillor.

The by-election at Belmont was caused by the resignation of Liberal Democrat Kathleen Atkinson in a row over the composition of a new regeneration scheme's panel.

Mrs Atkinson could have continued in office but decided to resign and stand again as an Independent.

She will take on Paula Carr (Labour), Daniel Hayward (Conservative) and Arthur Walker (Liberal Democrat).

Mrs Atkinson also resigned from Belmont Parish Council, causing one of the two vacancies to be filled on Thursday.

Also standing are Paula Carr and Roderic Johnston (Labour) and Rachel Porter and Arthur Walker (Liberal Democrat).