A BY-ELECTION has been called for the Hitchin South division of Hertfordshire County Council, with polling day set for March 10.

Until December, the county council seat had been held by Liberal Democrat Paul Clark.

But it became vacant in December, following the death of the highly-respected councillor Clark – who was also deputy leader of North Herts District Council.

Councillor Clark served as a district councillor between 1995 to 1999, then from 2001 to 2015, and 2016 to the present day.

He was a ward member for Hitchin Highbury for his entire service and served on many committees, including the Cabinet Panel on Housing, Strategic Planning and Transport.

In his position as a Hitchin councillor that he also channelled his locality budget to aid our community.

The notice of election was published by the county council on Thursday (February 3).

Nomination papers for anyone wishing to stand in the election must be handed-in by Friday (February 11).

And if the election is contested, polling day will be on March 10.

Applications to register to vote must be made by midnight on February 22 and can be made online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote