CANDIDATES are squaring up for a fight to become a district councillor for Wythall.

A by-election for the Wythall South ward, part of Bromsgrove District Council, has been called and will take place on April 6.

The position of councillor became available after John Gardener, who represented the Wythall Ratepayers' and Residents' Association, moved to Pembrokeshire last September.

Now a trio of cross-party candidates are fighting for the job.

Nigel Huggins will try and fill Mr Gardener's shoes as a candidate for the Wythall Ratepayers.

The consultant at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital said he would focus on the erosion of local hospital services.

The 49-year-old has lived in the area since 1985, the last 10 years in the Wythall South ward itself.

He said: "It is important to all of us living in this area that we maximise the quality of our lives and our needs are met by sensible planning and budgeting - council tax should not have to increase by such huge amounts, year on year."

Meanwhile, fighting the Conservative corner is James Duddy, 21, who has lived in Wythall for 16 years.

He told the Advertiser his priorities would be tackling road traffic and parking problems around Station Road, working with police to address anti-social behaviour and improving Bromsgrove District Council's new waste recycling scheme.

Mr Duddy also said he would ensure Wythall got its fair share of service and funding from the district council.

The third contender for the post is Hollywood man Chris Bloore who represents the Labour Party.

Agent for the 22-year-old, Sean Shannon, said Mr Bloore was concerned over the withdrawal of funding for the village's sports centre, as well as anti-social behaviour and building in the green belt.