THE fight is on in Leominster for a seat on Herefordshire Council.

The Leominster South by-election, triggered by the recent death of Councillor Roger Hunt, is set for July 17 and five candidates are vying for a place on the local authority.

Labour candidate and town councillor, Emma Pardoe, believes Leominster should return to the "thriving" town it once was and supports plans for a new supermarket.

“We need to fight to maintain essential services in the county after Tories, Independents and Green Party council members appear to have brought Herefordshire to the verge of bankruptcy, wasting money on things that are not needed in Herefordshire,” she added.

Hereford Times:

Councillor Emma Pardoe, candidate for the Labour party.

But community dog warden, town councillor and Conservative candidate Wayne Rosser - who also fronted a successful campaign for a skate park - said he is the “safest pair of hands” in Leominster.

“I have lived here for 30 years and live and breathe the town,” he said. “I will do everything in my power to support the people of Leominster.”

Hereford Times:

Conservative candidate, Councillor Wayne Rosser.

Hoping to secure a seat for the Greens is former mapping specialist and town councillor Jenny Bartlett, who has been running a campaign to protect Leominster’s public open spaces.

“It would be a privilege to represent the people of South Leominster on Herefordshire Council and to join my Green colleague, county councillor Felicity Norman, in boosting Leominster’s voice at county level,” she said.

Hereford Times:

Councillor Jenny Bartlett is standing for the Green party.

Also standing is independent candidate Angela Pendleton who led the Leominster in Bloom team to a gold medal as chairman of the group.

Fellow Independent, Councillor Peter McCaull, said he has “every faith” in Mrs Pendleton, who has qualifications in personnel management, is a trustee of the Herefordshire and Radnorshire Conservation Trust and is a member of HALC.

Hereford Times:

Independent candidate and town councillor Angela Pendleton.

And UKIP candidate Liz Portman-Lewis, said she wants to take up the concerns of local people.

“I’m sincere," she said. "And with the backing of the UKIP general manifesto I’m hoping that if people become interested and appreciate what is done locally that might also encourage them to look favourably at UKIP when it comes to the general election.”

Hereford Times:

UKIP candidate, Liz Portman-Lewis, wants to get more involved in local politics.

Voting takes place between 7am and 10pm at the Royal British Legion and Ivington Village Hall.