THE candidates have been announced for a by-election following a town councillor’s snap resignation. 

Winsford town councillor, Chrissy Smith, who represented Dene ward as a member of the town's Salt of the Earth independents group, threw in the towel just three months into her first term after being elected on May 4.  

On Monday, September 11, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWAC) returning officer, Delyth Curtis, announced four candidates will compete for Ms Smith’s former seat.

Two of her fellow Winsford Salt of the Earth members, Simon Boone and David Edwards, are among those who’ve put themselves forward for election on Thursday, October 5.

The group, which was formed earlier this year with the intention of putting ‘people before politics’, swept to victory in May’s local elections, taking 14 of 15 town council seats, and three seats on CWAC.

Independent candidate, Anthony Broughton, and Labour’s Dave Moorcroft have also thrown their hats into the ring.

Simon Boone is a sitting Chester West and Chester councillor and founder member of Winsford Salt of the Earth, though he’s currently in dispute with the group over his position with them.

Cllr Boone has insisted he is still a member, while Winsford town mayor, Ernie Welch, is adamant he isn’t.

Dave Edwards has been a Winsford town councillor in the past, first as a Labour member then later as an independent, having stood down at the last election on May 4, this year.