First candidates revealed in Harrogate Bilton and Nidd Gorge by-election

The by-election is being held following the recent death of councillor Geoff Webber who held the seat since 2017 and was also leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the county council.

Voting will take place on 6 May, with the deadline for candidate nominations to be made by 8 April.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate borough councillor Matt Scott as their candidate, while Tyler Reeton will stand in his first election for the Labour Party.

The Yorkshire Party's John Hall will also compete in the by-election. He previously stood to be MP for Thirsk and Malton in 2019 and also for the Harrogate Starbeck seat on the borough council in 2018.

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Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats said they will announce their candidate in the coming weeks.

The Harrogate and District Green Party also said it had yet to make a nomination but had "several keen candidates" come forward.

Harrogate Borough Council is running the by-election on behalf of the county council and nomination papers are available during normal office hours from the Deputy County Returning Officer at Harrogate Civic Centre on St Lukes Avenue.

Completed nomination papers must be delivered by hand to the same address between 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday before 8 April.

For more information go to www.harrogate.gov.uk/voting-elections/county-elections

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter