HAMPSHIRE County Council has announced a by-election will be held in East Hampshire next month, following the resignation of Ferris Cowper in the Headley division.

Mr Cowper, the Conservative councillor who also represented Grayshott, Bramshott and Liphook, resigned last month, but is continuing as a district councillor for Grayshott and leader of East Hampshire District Council.

The names of the candidates nominated to stand for election in each division on Thursday, May 5, were due to be published today (Friday) as The Herald went to press.

East Hampshire Conservative Association has already announced Floss Mitchell as its chosen candidate for Headley division. In 2013, the last time Mr Cowper stood for re-election, he was returned to Winchester with a total of 2,120 votes, more than 57 per cent of the votes cast.

UKIP’s Derrick Ismay was second with 893 votes and the Lib Dems’ Michael Croucher in third on 371.

East Hampshire District Council will run the by-elections on behalf of the county. Residents who have not registered to vote will need to do so by Monday, 18 April.

New applications for a postal vote must reach Penns Place, in Petersfield, by 5pm, on Tuesday, April 19.

Applications to vote by proxy must reach EHDC electoral registration officers by 5pm on Tuesday, April 26.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on May 5 – the same day as the second ever election of a Police and Crime Commissioner in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

For further information see www.hants.gov.uk/elections