THE candidates for a by-election to take place following the death of a leading local politician have been announced. 

The Old Barrow and Hindpool ward on Westmorland and Furness Council, the unitary authority that came into being on Saturday, would have been occupied by Ann Thomson.

Ms Thomson was leader of Barrow Borough Council and leader of the Labour group on the Westmorland and Furness shadow authority, which oversaw preparation for the new council, at the time of her death in January following a period of illness.

The Old Barrow and Hindpool by-election is to be held on May 4 and is to be contested by Dave Cassidy, of Labour, Derek Gawne, who represents the Conservatives, and Stephen Raymond Pickthall, of the Liberal Democrats.

Elections for a number of parish and town councils are also to take place on the same date. These are: 

  • Barrow Parish Council – all 11 wards
  • Penrith Town Council – the Penrith North, Penrith South and Penrith West wards
  • Asby Parish Council
  • Crosby Ravensworth Parish Council
  • Kirkby Stephen Parish Council
  • Matterdale Parish Council
  • Musgrave Parish Council

The full list of candidates can be found at tinyurl.com/yckrmtbh

There are to be no polls for other town and parish councils with scheduled elections in the Westmorland and Furness area, because the number of candidates standing did not exceed the number of vacant seats available.

Residents in areas with no scheduled elections should not attend polling stations, even if they have received poll cards.

People must register by 11.59pm on April 17 in order to vote in May's elections. This can be done at gov.uk/register-to-vote

Voters must show photo ID at polling stations on May 4.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport, a UK or EEA driver's licence, and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Those without acceptable ID can apply for a voter authority certificate, for free, at gov.uk/applyforphotoidtovote

Paper forms are available from council offices in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith.

Those applying to vote by post do not require photo ID.