THREE candidates have so far been named to contest the Herefordshire Council seat vacated by North Herefordshire’s new MP Ellie Chowns.

The Green MP won her Parliamentary seat in July’s General Election from Sir Bill Wiggin by nearly 6,000 votes, ending 23 years as the constituency member for the Conservative candidate.

North Herefordshire abuts the northern boundary of Ross-on-Wye and includes Brampton Abbots and Upton Bishop.

Aiming to be her Green Party successor in the county ward of Bishops Frome & Cradley is Rebecca Tully, who has worked in teaching, training and community projects for over 25 years.

Ms Tully has said that if elected she will continue Dr Chowns’ “dedicated” work by holding monthly surgeries, keeping in touch with parish councils, and providing regular newsletter updates.

The Conservative candidate is chair of Bromyard town council Mark Franklin, who came second to Dr Chowns in last year’s local elections.

He has said his priorities will be ensuring council spending gives value for money and meets voters’ priorities, tackling the state of Herefordshire’s roads and supporting local businesses.

Labour’s candidate will be Sandy Grenar, the party’s secretary for Hereford and South Herefordshire, who has over 20 years of experience of working for a government regulator for higher education.

Last October she contested Golden Valley South ward for the party, a contest won by Independent councillor Matthew Engel.

Reform UK have said they will stand a candidate but have yet to name them, while the Liberal Democrats and Independents for Herefordshire are yet to announce a candidate.

The byelection will be held on Thursday, November 7, with polling in the village halls of Bishops Frome, Cradley, Stanford Bishop and Storridge.

Nominations to stand must be with Herefordshire Council by 4pm on Friday, October 11, with an announcement of the final list of candidates due to be published the following Monday.