AROUND £17,000 will be spent on the Chapelford and Old Hall by-election in October.

The by-election comes after Faisal Rashid stunned David Mowat to secure the Warrington South seat in the General Election in June.

Mr Rashid announced he would be stepping down from his council position on July 28 – the day the Government confirmed funding for the new Warrington West Station in Chapelford.

A date has not been finalised for the by-election but Warrington Borough Council (WBC) confirmed it is likely to take place in early October.

A spokesman said six staffed polling stations would be required.

He added: "It is a big ward, with more than 9,000 electors, meaning that more than 9,000 polling cards would need to be delivered.

"Around 1,800 postal votes would need to be sent out.

"We would need to administer the counting of postal votes and a final count of all votes received.

"We would incur Royal Mail fees and other statutory costs."

Mr Rashid has again praised those in the area for putting their trust in him.

"I am really thankful that residents in Chapelford and Old Hall voted for me to be their councillor," he said.

"Each time there was an election I got an increased majority.

"But one thing I am happy with is that I am their MP, so I am still representing them.

"I want to carry out my role as MP as well as possible – that is my job now.

"If I keep my council role then there is a conflict of interest because there will be things I might not be supporting the council on and things I will be supporting the council on.

"But as an MP I am completely independent and will take my stance accordingly on the issues that matter to my constituents."

WBC has also been notified of two vacancies on Great Sankey Parish Council following the resignations of Mr Rashid and Cllr Jean Carter.

The deadline to request an election to be held in the central or south parish wards is August 30.

For further information on voting and elections visit warrington.gov.uk.