The list of candidates standing in the Hertfordshire County Council by-election in Hitchin South has now been published.

The seat became vacant following the death of serving county councillor Paul Clark, who was a Liberal Democrat.

With Hitchin voters going to the polls on March 10 to elect a new councillor.

On the ballot paper there will be candidates from the Christian People's Alliance, Conservative, Green Party and Liberal Democrats.

There is no candidate listed for the Labour Party.

And commenting on the decision not to field a candidate, leader of the county council's Labour group Cllr Judi Billing said it reflected the circumstances in which the seat had become vacant.

"The local Labour Party believe that in such sad circumstances it just didn't feel right to be competing in an election – in an area where Paul's family still lives and would be hurt by it on a daily basis," she said.

The listed candidates for the county council election are:

Deolinda Maria Eltringham (Green Party),

Keith Hoskins (Liberal Democrats),

Leigh Smith (Christian Peoples Alliance)

Claire Patricia Annette Strong (Conservative). In the last election for the seat, in May 2021, Cllr Clark took the seat from serving county councillor Derrick Ashley – with a majority of just 42 votes. Currently the county council has a Conservative majority – holding 46 of the 78 seats. The Liberal Democrats hold 23 seats and Labour seven – with one Green Party member and one independent. The by-election will be held on March 10.