RESIDENTS in Catshill and Hagley will go to the polls on June 7, the same day as county council elections, to elect new district councillors.

It follows the not unexpected resignations last week of two Tory members, Len Boden at Catshill and Helen Whitehouse at Hagley.

Mr Boden, from Golden Cross Lane, tendered his resignation just hours after the Advertiser/Messenger was published carrying a story about his uncertain future in local government.

He won the seat in a by-election in October 1999.

Mrs Whitehouse, one of two representatives for the Hagley ward, was elected in May of that year.

Council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con. Norton) said Mr Boden had resigned for "personal reasons" and the group had accepted it "with regret."

"Helen Whitehouse has moved out of the district and feels she is unable to carry out her duties in Bromsgrove. We thank her for her contribution to the Hagley ward," he said."

On June 7 polling stations will open from 8am to 9pm unless the General Election takes place the same day, in which case the hours will be 7am to 10pm.

Catshill and Hagley residents who have arranged a postal vote for Worcestershire County Council elections will automatically get one for the district council elections.