HUNDREDS of residents in Melksham are preparing to go to the polls to elect a new town councillor.

The vacancy on the town council's Lambourne ward came up earlier this year when Cllr Marcus Aurelias resigned and moved to Spain.

Independent representatives Christopher Petty, of Gloucester Square, and Trevor Smith, of The Spa, have been nominated along with Labour candidate Margaret White, of Ingram Road for the by-election set on December 13.

The Lambourne ward includes Sandridge Road, Lowbourne and Queensway.

Polling stations will be set up at Rowley Place Sheltered Accommodation and Queensway Hall between 8am and 9pm.

The deadline for postal votes applications is December 5.