RESIDENTS of Calne's central ward are being asked to add voting for a new councillor to their list of things to do in the run-up to Christmas.

A by-election is taking place in the Corn Exchange at the town hall today, to replace resigned mayor Chris Hughes.

Mr Hughes, 37, shocked the town when he became the first mayor in Calne's history to resign, after just four months.

Mr Hughes, of Quarr Barton, said a new job meant he didn't have the time to commit to Calne Town Council and he wanted to spend more time with his wife Kim and baby son Thomas.

His decision left councillors Tony Trotman and Eric Porter without a third councillor for their ward, which is one of the town's largest.

The three candidates for the position have been canvassing the patch in the weeks leading up to the election.

They are Richard Stigwood (Conservative), Joanna Hesslewood (Liberal Democrat) and Jillian Moore (Green Party).

Coun Trotman urged people not to waste their democratic right to vote because they were preoccupied with other things in the run-up to the festive season.