Six candidates will battle it out to get a place on Reading Borough Council in a by-election following the death of a sitting councillor.

Councillor Colette Dennis (Labour, Norcot) sadly died, aged 60, on Friday, June 9 after being admitted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

She had been elected twice in a row in 2022 and 2023 and was recently appointed the deputy mayoress as the wife of cllr Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood).

Now, a by-election is being held to appoint her successor.

Finn McGoldrick is the Labour candidate for the area, and she has pledged to keep “Norcot safe, tidy, and thriving” by working with the council administration.

Elizabeth Sheppard, better known as Lizzy, is standing for election as a Conservative candidate for the fourth time since 2021.

Cllr Clarence Mitchell (Conservative, Emmer Green) called her a young, committed and keen candidate.

READ MORE: Reading by-election announced following death of councillor

The Green Party is fielding Richard Walkem as its candidate. He stood for Norcot in the local elections this year, coming in second place.

Colette Dennis won her seat with 1,202 votes, a majority of 966 over Mr Walkem, the runner up.

In the community, Mr Walkem is a teacher and treasurer at the church he worships at.

The Liberal Democrats are standing candidate Marie French, who has accused the council of wasting millions of pounds by “delaying critical projects, not filing its finances on time, and dragging its heels” on equal pay for women.

Despite Norcot being a Labour stronghold, candidates from smaller parties have launched bids to be elected as well.

READ MORE: Reading election result 2023 sees Labour maintain grip on power

Jen Bottom is standing as the candidate for the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). She is a blind activist for the party and is often out canvassing with other TUSC members in the town centre.

Alan John Gulliver is an Independent candidate. Active on Twitter, Mr Gulliver is a proud Romani Gypsy who is often critical of the council administration, particularly for increasing council taxes and accused it of a lack of focus on Norcot.

You can view full candidate profiles in the graphic below:

The by-election will be held on Thursday, August 3. The deadline to apply to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday, July 18.

Those seeking to vote at a polling station on the day will require valid photo ID before they are able to vote. Changes have been made to polling stations – where people go to vote in elections.

The Council will be hosting a polling station at the new Dee Space (Community Centre), instead of Ranikhet Academy, on August 3.

You can also vote by post, which does not require photo ID, with the deadline to apply for a postal vote for the by-election being Wednesday, July 19, and for a proxy vote is Wednesday, July 26.