Voters in Medway are heading to the polls today in a by-election which will decide who will replace Ukip's Catriona Brown-Reckless after she resigned last month.

It is a five-way battle for the South Strood ward in a contest that will test how all the parties are faring in Medway.

Among the candidates are a teenage A-level student, a former mayor and a chef.

The by-election has been caused by the resignation of Mrs Brown-Reckless, the wife of former Rochester and Strood MP Mark Reckless, after serving just over a year of her four-year term.

Mr Reckless, who lost his seat last year, was elected to the Welsh Assembly in May.

The Conservatives, who narrowly lost two of the three available council seats to Ukip in 2015, have nominated former Strood South ward councillor and mayor Josie Iles.

Mrs Iles, who represented the ward until last year, has lived in the area since 1986.

She worked for an investment and asset management company in London until 2009. She is now chairman of St Francis Pre-School Committee and treasurer for The Friends of Medway Archives.

The Green Party candidate is Steve Dyke, who has lived in Strood since 1966 and was educated at Elaine Primary and then Rochester Math School. He works in the insurance industry in London.

The Liberal Democrat candidate is 18-year-old Isabelle Cherry, a former student at Rochester grammar, who has lived in Medway all her life and is currently studying for A-levels at home. She is the vice-chairman of Liberal Youth England.

The Ukip candidate is chef Karl Weller, 31, a lifelong Strood resident who has lived in the ward for 18 years. A former pupil of Bligh infants and junior schools, he works as a head chef.

Labour's chosen candidate is selected Isaac Igwe, the former Labour councillor for the ward who lost his seat last year.

The polls are open until 10pm after which the ballot papers will be taken to the count at the council's offices at Gun Wharf.

Another by-election in Rainham Central will be held on November 3 following the death of Cllr Mike O'Brien.