A BY-ELECTION for the Lymm South borough council seat following the death of Warrington's joint longest-serving councillor is planned to take place on April 19.

Sheila Woodyatt, who was the town’s Conservative leader and served as mayor in 2000-2001, sadly died in January, aged 80.

An election to fill Sheila's seat in the South ward of Lymm Parish Council is also set for the same day after Warrington Borough Council received 'valid election requests' for both positions.

The notice of election will be published tomorrow, Friday, and nomination packs will be available from the borough's electoral services team.

The 'statement of persons nominated' is due to be out after March 22.

Three vacancies have also arisen on Penketh Parish Council.

Parish councillor Terry Webb has resigned from his position in the East ward, while parish councillors George Warburton and Sam Baxter have resigned from their posts in the West ward.

The deadline for election requests for the three vacancies is 5pm today.

Conservative Mr Baxter, 25, said: "I stepped down from Penketh Parish Council as I'll be moving out of Warrington, so to be closer to work and to set up a new home.

"Although I was technically entitled to stay on the council having met the requirements when elected, it wouldn't have been fair to do so as the role really needs someone who can be dedicated to it.

"I think the most memorable moment for me was seeing how many residents turned up to a meeting at short notice to voice their opposition to the threat of our library closing.

"The turnout and strength of feeling really summed up how close-knit a community Penketh is."

"I've enjoyed being able to represent where I grew up since May 2016.

"In terms of my ambitions for the future, I'd like to be a councillor again in the future but for now I'll carry on my political involvement as a volunteer, while I settle in and get to grips with a new area."

Labour and the Liberal Democrats will battle it out for a position on Birchwood Town Council.

Labour's Julia Ellis and Liberal Democrat Matt Scott are taking part in the by-election next Thursday.

A town councillor vacancy opened up in the Locking Stumps ward following the resignation of Estelle Linney.

Two positions on Walton Parish Council – in the Lower Walton ward – will also be filled following an election next Thursday.

The Greens have put forward Lyndsay McAteer and Steph Davies, while Sharon Harris will battle for the Liberal Democrats.