RESIDENTS in Lyme Regis will go to the polls next week to elect a new member onto the town council.

Jeff Scowen and Ken Dibben are standing in the by-election, triggered by the resignation of Liz Robinson in March, who stepped down due to work commitments.

In June 2015, Ms Robinson was co-opted onto to the town council by members along with Cllr Brian Larcombe, Cllr Richard Doney and Cllr Stephen Miller - while all other councillors and non-elected after not enough candidates came forward to hold an election last May.

Polls will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday, June 2 – with polling stations open at Woodmead Halls and Hallett Court Communal Room, Queens Walk. The election was triggered after more than ten electors called for an election to be contested, following a campaign by Mr Scowen.

Mr Scowen said he wants to give something back to the town - while Mr Dibben, former mayor of Lyme Regis, hopes people will vote for experience on June 2.

Mr Scowen has 35 years of sales and marketing experience and is also a film maker, actor and reggae DJ.

He has already delivered more than 1,000 manifesto leaflets to Lyme Regis homes - and is aiming to reach every home before next week’s election.

The candidate is passionate about retaining popular events in the town, as well as “more free parking for residents”. Mr Scowen said: “Community support for the elderly, the infirm and single parents is essential - as is promoting our food bank and affordable housing for residents.

“I could have settled anywhere in the world but chose Lyme for it’s beauty and people. I want to be a councillor so as to give something back to the place I love.”

Mr Dibben, was town mayor from 2001 to 2003 and spent 12 years on the town council. He is pleased that an election is being held as he is a “great believer in democracy”.

He said: “I have always been interested in the town and I just feel that I could devote some time and bring my experience to the town council.

“I am standing as an independent candidate as I believe party politics at this level would be counter productive.”

Mr Dibben said he will “support tourism that is compatible with the environment” and says he has a “working knowledge” of how the authority operates.

Mr Scowen believes the town council should work more with Lyme Regis Development Trust and is concerned there is very little mobile data signal in the Lyme Regis area.