Voters are going to the polls today in Staplehurst where there is a by-election for one of the village’s two seats on Maidstone Borough Council.

The election comes only two months after voting for the other seat in the ward.

The current vacancy arose after the mid-term resignation of Conservative Cllr Richard Lusty, following the appointment of Cllr Annabelle Blackmore as the new Tory council leader.

There are five candidates. Last time around the Conservatives won comfortably, with Cllr John Perry elected.

But Paul Butcher, a former Tory candidate, also stood in the May elections as an Independent.

He is not standing this time.

The ballots will be counted immediately after the polls close at 10pm with the result expected before midnight.

The candidates are:

Louise Brice (Con)

David George (Green)

Jamie Kalmar (UKIP)

John Randall (Lab)

Paulina Watson (Lib Dem)