A BY-ELECTION is to take place following the resignation of a member of Durham City Council's ruling Liberal Democrat group.

Fionna Davison, who holds one of three seats in the Shadforth and Sherburn ward, has resigned from the city council.

Councillor Davison has held the seat since 2003, when she was one of three Liberal Democrats to gain seats in the ward from Labour. She gained the seat with 930 votes - 285 ahead of her nearest rival.

The by-election, which is to take place on April 6, will be a three-way fight between Liberal Democrat Brian Colledge, Labour's Angela Leary and Carolyn Smith, of the Conservative Party.