A local by-election is to be held on Thursday to elect a councillor to replace Luke Myer who became the new MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland earlier this year.

Those nominated for election in Longbeck, East Cleveland, include Chris Gallacher, a former independent who had held a cabinet post during the last independent/Liberal Democrat administration on Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Mr Gallacher is standing for Reform UK.

The wife of former Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner, Andrea Turner is another candidate and is standing as an independent.

Mrs Turner previously represented Longbeck as a Conservative before losing her seat.

The remaining candidates are Sarah Booth (Liberal Democrats), Jane Bradley (Labour), Stephen Crane (Conservative Party), Steve Cooper (Independent) and Vic Jeffries (Independent).

Polls will be open at the Gleneagles Community Centre, in Gleneagles Road, New Marske, and Westgate Primary School, in Redcar Road, Marske on the day between 7am and 10pm with the result expected to be declared by midnight.

Labour’s Mr Myer, a former cabinet member for children’s services on the council, was elected in Longbeck in local elections in May 2023.

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The result was the last to be called across the country after a recount was required which eventually separated current incumbent Vera Rider from Mrs Turner by just four votes.

Councillor Rider had stood as an independent, but later returned to the Conservatives after previously quitting the party

Longbeck is a largely rural ward which has its own train station on the railway line which links Bishop Auckland, County Durham with Saltburn.