VOTERS in Leominster will be heading to the polls later this month for a by-election.

Residents of the Leominster South Ward, which includes the villages of Ivington and Monkland, will be going to the polls on March 23 to choose a successor to the late Councillor Peter McCaull.

Former local government officer Trish Marsh, who is married with two children, has been named the Green Party’s candidate.

Mrs Marsh, a Green Party councillor on Leominster Town Council and chairman of the council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee, said: “Having formerly worked for Herefordshire Council for 13 years it would be a great privilege to return and serve the people of south Leominster as their county councillor.”

Trish, an arts lover and events organiser, played a key role in saving Leominster Festival from closure in recent years. Working with local young people, she has made a short film about the impact of library cuts.

Meanwhile, current Leominster Town Councillor Clive Thomas will look to use experience gained during 15 years as a councillor in Stratford-upon-Avon when he stands as a candidate for the Lib Dems.

He believes the council has 'totally let Leominster down' and that action is needed on roads in the town.

Cllr Thomas, who has successfully introduced three public access defibrillators into Leominster, said: "I will make sure the Leominster voice is heard loud and clear. I do not give in easily and I don't think that the county councillors are feeding back to the councils as well as they could be."

The largest opposition party on Herefordshire Council, It's Our County, is also represented by candidate Jon Stannard, who first stood for election in May 2015.

He said: "I am frustrated that poor decision-making in Hereford leads to damaging cuts to precious local services. Insufficient thought is given at county level to working more closely in partnership with market towns. Investment is focused on Hereford resulting in market towns like Leominster, and its surrounding rural areas, losing out."

If elected, he says he will fight for investment in road repairs and pedestrian paths, ensure infrastructure is in place ahead of further housing, return the town's car parks to the town council and encourage people to take pride in the town.

Meanwhile, Conservative candidate Connor Egan, says he wants to ensure the community he believes has 'so much potential' thrives and succeeds.

He said: "If elected I want to take action on improving our roads, increasing apprenticeships and opportunities for young people and addressing Leominster's parking issues. These are my three top priorities for our town. Further, as the only candidate that lives in the ward, I will remain accessible once elected.

"For me, this election gives me the opportunity to represent my community and I am committed to putting Leominster firmly on the map as a market town going from strength to strength."

An internationally-renowned pianist is hoping to be the next Independent member of the council. Mark Latimer, who was a close friend of Peter McCaull, says he would hold regular surgeries while making the construction of a Leominster relief road a 'top priority'.

Mr Latimer is passionate about local health care after witnessing first-hand the support his wife, Heulwen, received at both Hereford County Hospital and St Michael's Hospice, before she passed away just three weeks ago.

He says he would also carry on the work of Cllr McCaull by championing the town's young people.

Dog fouling, speed reduction and tackling anti-social behaviour are also issues which would be addressed.