The two candidates who will contest the Ross Town Council by-election on Thursday, November 28th have been announced.

Craig Morgan, of the Convervatives, and Caroline Bennett, of the Liberal Democrats, will go head to head for the seat, in Ross' East Ward, which was vacated by Jo Lane, who resigned due to health issues in September.

Both candidates should be recognisable to regular Gazette readers. Craig is a retained fire fighter at the Ross Fire Station and Caroline worked in Ross Library for 10 years.

Craig said: "I am honoured and delighted to have been asked by many local residents to stand for election to fill the vacancy on Ross Town Council.

"I was born and raised in Ross and am passionate about this town and its future. I live in the Town's East Ward and I'm married to Cath. We have a one year old daughter, Ella."

Caroline previously ran for election in the Ross West Ward in January, losing out to Richard Mayo. Her campaign literature describes what she has been up to since and the issues which interest her.

Caroline said: "I want to defend our libraries, with proper staff and resources, I want to keep public lavatories open to help local businesses and tourism and I want to support our community groups and volunteers to make Ross even better."

Caroline, as well as running her own catering business, is the Chairman of the Ross Town Plan Group and an active member of the Ross-on-Wye Fairtrade Group.

Craig has also been involved in many local organisations including the Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance and the local neighbourhood watch.The Ross Gazette hopes to bring you more about the candidates for the East Ward by-election in the coming weeks.

Herefordshire Council will be holding a district by-election in the Pontrilas ward on Thursday November 21st, following the resignation of Councillor Russell B Hamilton.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.