Ledbury Town Council is seeking to co-opt four councillors for its rural ward by June 8, to avoid the possibility of Herefordshire Council calling an election at the town's expense.

An urgent plea for Ledbury people to stand was made at the annual town council meeting last Thursday (May 11).

Town clerk June McQuaid said: "I don't think we've ever had four seats to fill in one ward, especially that ward where there are only six seats anyway.

"I really don't know why there's a lack of interest. Perhaps people realise how much time council work involves and they don't want the commitment."

Ledbury's new mayor, Coun Clive Jupp, said: "We're four councillors short and we have received authority from the returning officer to fill the vacancies by co-option.

"Candidates will be considered by the full council on June 8. If we fail to fill the places, shortly afterwards, there will have to be elections at the expense of the town."

The vacancies are open to any elector living in the town or rural wards.

If filled, Ledbury Town Council will be at its full strength of 18 councillors.

Herefordshire Council's deputy returning officer Stephen Oram said an election, if held, would be met by Ledbury Town Council's purse and would cost £900.

But Herefordshire Council would take the decision as to whether an election should be held.

He said: "The town council may not have to call an election. It depends on whether they can still function without it."

Mr Oram revealed that of the 234 Herefordshire parishes, only 53 were contested in this month's elections.

Anyone wishing to be considered as a town councillor should write to town clerk June McQuaid, at the town council offices in Church Lane, giving brief details.